American Board of Pathology (ABPath) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN) is a common cause of acute kidney injury and can indeed lead to renal failure. However, the context of the question asks specifically about the most common medical renal disease leading to renal failure, which is often attributed to diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy is a complication of diabetes and is characterized by a gradual deterioration of kidney function due to damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys. It is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in many populations, especially in individuals with poorly controlled diabetes. The pathophysiology involves hyperglycemia leading to glomerular hyperfiltration and subsequent changes that result in proteinuria and progressive kidney function decline.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a broader term that encompasses various stages and causes but does not specify a single condition leading to renal failure. Chronic Kidney Disease can also encompass the effects of diabetic nephropathy, but on its own, it lacks the specificity that diabetic nephropathy provides as a leading cause.

Glomerulonephritis refers to a range of inflammatory conditions affecting the glomeruli but is not as prevalent in terms of being the most common cause of renal failure as diabetic nephropathy is