A case of Fanconi syndrome that developed following a year of consumption of a red yeast rice supplement.

Abstract

Although some dietary supplements have been reported to cause renal dysfunction, there have been few reports of supplement-induced Fanconi syndrome. We present the case of a 56-year-old woman with Fanconi syndrome that developed after she consumed a red yeast rice supplement. She was referred to our hospital because of renal dysfunction, and was found to have electrolyte abnormalities, including hypophosphatemia and hypouricemia, renal diabetes, and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, and was, therefore, diagnosed with Fanconi syndrome. Renal biopsy revealed proximal tubular injury characterized by severely degenerated tubular epithelial cells as well as mild hypocellular fibrosis. We speculated that the red yeast rice supplement, which the patient had been consuming for approximately 1 year, might be a cause of her syndrome, because reports of renal dysfunction associated with the consumption of red yeast rice supplements have emerged in Japan since 2024. After the supplement was discontinued and oral prednisolone treatment was initiated, the patient's renal function improved and her electrolyte abnormalities were ameliorated. Furthermore, even after tapering off and discontinuing the prednisolone over approximately 12 weeks, her renal function remained. Because Fanconi syndrome may be caused by various exogenous substances, the taking of a thorough medical history is crucial, including with respect to the use not only of prescription medications, but also other substances, including supplements.