First-line treatment for Minimal Change Disease?

First-line treatment for Minimal Change Disease?

• A. ACE inhibitors
• B. Diuretics
• C. Prednisone
• D. Cyclosporine

Answer: (C)

Minimal change disease is a nephrotic syndrome that responds very well to corticosteroids, so the first-line treatment is prednisone. This immune-mediated podocyte injury typically remits quickly once steroid therapy is started, often within a few weeks, leading to reduced proteinuria and edema. Other options don’t address the underlying immune process. ACE inhibitors can lower proteinuria by reducing intraglomerular pressure but don’t reverse the disease itself. Diuretics help with edema symptoms but don’t treat the cause. Cyclosporine is reserved for steroid-resistant or frequently relapsing cases, not as initial therapy.

Minimal change disease is a nephrotic syndrome that responds very well to corticosteroids, so the first-line treatment is prednisone. This immune-mediated podocyte injury typically remits quickly once steroid therapy is started, often within a few weeks, leading to reduced proteinuria and edema.

Other options don’t address the underlying immune process. ACE inhibitors can lower proteinuria by reducing intraglomerular pressure but don’t reverse the disease itself. Diuretics help with edema symptoms but don’t treat the cause. Cyclosporine is reserved for steroid-resistant or frequently relapsing cases, not as initial therapy.