Final answer:
Nephrotic syndrome, marked by proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema, is mainly caused by diabetic nephropathy, a consequence of long-term diabetes damaging the kidney's glomerular capillaries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The syndrome characterized by proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema is known as nephrotic syndrome. This condition arises from the damage to the glomerulus of the kidneys, which increases the permeability of capillary walls, allowing a large amount of protein typically retained in the blood to pass into the urine instead. A key cause of this syndrome is diabetic nephropathy, a progressive kidney disease resulting from long-standing, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus that damages the capillaries in the glomeruli.
Diabetic nephropathy, which can lead to nephrotic syndrome, is also exacerbated by factors such as high blood pressure, history of cigarette smoking, and family history of kidney disease. Controlling blood glucose levels, managing hypertension, and reducing sodium intake are critical steps in slowing down kidney damage that can result from the condition.