Idiopathic Nodular Glomerulosclerosis in a Long-term Passive Smoker With Recently Diagnosed Hypertension: A Case Report

Idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis (ING) is mostly associated with long-standing active smoking and hypertension (HTN). Herein, we present a rare case of ING in a passive smoker with recently diagnosed uncontrolled HTN. A 60-year-old white female with Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal plasma cell disorder, Skin changes (POEMS) syndrome and newly diagnosed HTN was referred because of an elevated creatinine level. She denied being an active smoker but reported long-term exposure to cigarette smoke due to living with a heavy smoking family and working as a bartender. Further investigations revealed microscopic hematuria and nephritic range proteinuria. Kidney biopsy revealed diffuse and focal nodular mesangial expansion without hypercellularity, with negative staining for amyloid, fibrillary glomerulonephritis, and immunoglobulins, leading to a diagnosis of ING. This case highlights a rare case of ING secondary to heavy passive smoking and uncontrolled HTN.