What is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults?

The most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults is diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy results from long-standing diabetes mellitus, which leads to a characteristic set of changes in the kidney, including glomerulosclerosis, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, and mesangial expansion.

In the context of nephrotic syndrome, diabetic nephropathy is particularly significant as it accounts for a substantial proportion of cases in adult populations, especially in those with poorly controlled diabetes. The pathological changes contribute to the disruption of the glomerular filtration barrier, ultimately resulting in proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and associated complications of nephrotic syndrome.

While minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis can also cause nephrotic syndrome, they are more common in children and specific populations rather than the general adult population. Membranous nephropathy, although a recognized cause of nephrotic syndrome, is less prevalent than diabetic nephropathy among adults.

Therefore, diabetic nephropathy stands out as the predominant cause when assessing the prevalence of nephrotic syndrome in adult patients.