Systemic amyloidosis journey from diagnosis to outcomes: a twelve-year real-world experience of a single center in a middle-income country.

BACKGROUND: Systemic amyloidosis is caused by the deposition of misfolded protein aggregates in tissues, leading to progressive organ dysfunction and death. Epidemiological studies originate predominantly from high-income countries, with few data from Latin America. Due to the non-specific clinical manifestations, diagnosing amyloidosis is often challenging and patients experience a long journey and delay in diagnosis. This study aimed to assess clinical and laboratory characteristics, the diagnostic journey, and outcomes of patients with biopsy-proven systemic amyloidosis diagnosed between 2009 and 2020 at a university referral center in a middle-income Latin American country. Patients´ medical records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-three patients were included. The median age at diagnosis was 60 years and 54% were male. Until the diagnosis, most of the patients (52%) were seen by at least 3 specialists, the main ones being: general practitioners (57%), nephrologists (45%), and cardiologists (38%). The most common manifestations were renal (54%) and cardiac (41%) disorders, and cachexia was seen in 36% of patients. In 72% of the cases, ≥ 2 biopsies were required until the final diagnosis. The median time from symptoms onset to diagnosis was 10.9 months, and most patients (75%) had ≥ 2 organs involved. The following subtypes were identified: AL (68%), ATTR (13%), AA (8%), AFib (4%), and inconclusive (7%). Median OS was 74.3 months in the non-AL subgroup and 18.5 months in AL. Among AL patients, those with advanced cardiac stage had the worst outcome [median OS 8.6 months versus 52.3 for stage III versus I-II, respectively (p < 0.001)]. AL subtype, cardiac involvement, and ECOG ≥ 2 were identified as independent risk factors for reduced survival. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic amyloidosis is still an underdiagnosed condition and the delay in its recognition leads to poor outcomes. Medical education, better diagnostic tools, improvement in access to therapies, and establishment of referral centers may improve patient outcomes in middle-income countries.

Systemic amyloidosis manifestation in a patient with psoriatic arthritis

Abstract Systemic amyloidosis secondary to psoriatic arthritis is rare, and published data are based mainly on case reports and are associated with increased mortality. This is the report of a patient with long-term psoriatic arthritis and chronic sialadenitis, who showed an inadequate response to therapy. The diagnosis of secondary amyloidosis was attained through biopsies of genital skin lesions. Although very rare, it is important that dermatologists and general practitioners consider the possibility of amyloidosis in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, since an early intervention can be implemented, and thus, the prognosis of this condition can be improved.

Systemic amyloidosis manifestation in a patient with psoriatic arthritis.

Systemic amyloidosis secondary to psoriatic arthritis is rare, and published data are based mainly on case reports and are associated with increased mortality. This is the report of a patient with long-term psoriatic arthritis and chronic sialadenitis, who showed an inadequate response to therapy. The diagnosis of secondary amyloidosis was attained through biopsies of genital skin lesions. Although very rare, it is important that dermatologists and general practitioners consider the possibility of amyloidosis in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, since an early intervention can be implemented, and thus, the prognosis of this condition can be improved.

Función de la amiloidosis en la neuropatía periférica de los pacientes con anemia drepanocítica / Function of amyloidosis in peripheral neuropathy of patients with sickle cell anemia

Introducción: El estado inflamatorio que acompaña la anemia drepanocítica puede asociarse a amiloidosis sistémica, complicación que ha sido comunicada en esta enfermedad, que también puede afectar los nervios periféricos por el proceso vaso-oclusivo crónico en esta. Objetivos: Evaluar la función de la amiloidosis en el desarrollo de la neuropatía periférica en un grupo de pacientes con hemoglobinopatía SS. Métodos: Para determinar si la amiloidosis participa en el desarrollo de neuropatía periférica en los pacientes con drepanocitosis se estudiaron 45 sujetos mediante evaluación clínica, biopsia de grasa abdominal y estudio de conducción nerviosa, evaluándose si existía relación entre ambos trastornos. Resultados: Se encontraron signos de neuropatía predominantemente sensitiva. Las alteraciones del estudio de conducción fueron constantes, comprobándose que la existencia de amiloidosis aumentó la frecuencia y la severidad de la neuropatía en estos pacientes. La biopsia de nervio peroneo demostró amiloidosis en dos casos. Conclusiones: Los resultados indican que la amiloidosis se relaciona con el desarrollo de neuropatía periférica en los pacientes con anemia drepanocítica(AU)

Introduction: The inflammatory condition that accompanies sickle cell anemia can be associated to systemic amyloidosis, a complication of this disease which can also affect the peripheral nerves because of its chronic vaso-occlusive process. Objectives: To assess the function of amyloidosis in the development of peripheral neuropathy in a group of patients with hemoglobinopathy SS. Methods: In order to determine if amyloidosis takes part in the development of peripheral neuropathy in patients with sickle cells disease, 45 subjects were studied by means of clinical evaluation, biopsy of abdominal fat and a study of nervous conduction, being evaluated if there was any relation between both disorders. Results: Signs of predominantly sensitive neuropathy were found, and the alterations of the study of conduction were constant, being verified that the existence of amyloidosis increased the frequency and the severity of neuropathy in these patients. Peroneal nerve´s biopsy demonstrated that amyloidosis was present in two cases. Conclusions: The results indicate that amiyloidosis is related to the development of peripheral neuropathy in patients with sickle cell anemia(AU)

Incidence rate of amyloidosis in patients from a medical care program in Buenos Aires, Argentina: a prospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data concerning the incidence density (ID) of ATTRwt, AL and AA amyloidosis in the Argentinean population. Our aim was to estimate the ID of ATTRwt, AL and AA amyloidosis at the Hospital Italiano Medical Care Program in Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: Population was all members of a hospital-based health maintenance organization who were affiliated since January 2006 to December 2014. Each person was followed contributing time at risk since January 2006 or enrollment date to the final date. Incident cases of amyloidosis were captured from the institutional registry of amyloidosis. Incidence rate was calculated with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: During the nine-year study period, there were 15 patients with ATTRwt, 12 with AL and 2 with AA amyloidosis for 1 105 152 person-years of follow-up. The crude ID of ATTRwt amyloidosis was 13.5 (95%CI 8.1-22.4), that of AL amyloidosis 11 (95%CI: 6-19) and that of AA amyloidosis 1.8 (95%CI: 0.5-7.2) per 1 000 000 person-years. The highest ID was found in men (31.7 for ATTRwt, 15.9 for AL and 2.27 for AA amyloidosis per 1 000 000 person-years). The ID adjusted to the population of the city of Buenos Aires was 6.46 (95%CI: 3.17-9.74) for ATTRwt, 6.13 (95%CI: 2.57-9.7) for AL and 1.21 (95%CI: 0.56 to 2.99) for AA amyloidosis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first paper to report the incidence density of ATTRwt, AL and AA amyloidosis in Latin America. Our results are consistent with other studies from other regions. Although systemic amyloidosis is a rare disease, it is a major health problem because of its morbi-mortality.

Paciente joven con disfonía: un caso de amiloidosis poco habitual / Young patient with dysphonia: a case of unusual amyloidosis

La amiloidosis es una enfermedad caracterizada por el depósito extracelular de fibrillas compuestas por subunidades de bajo peso molecular de una variedad de proteínas. Puede ser clasificada según su distribución y según la proteina fibrilar constituyente. La prevalencia varía según el área geográfica estudiada y el pronóstico depende del tejido u órgano afectado. Presentamos el caso de un varón jóven con disfonía de larga evolución sin otros síntomas acompañantes en cuya nasofibroscopía se observaron una tumoración en regíon laríngea. En la anatomía patológica se observó material hialino congofílico compatible con amiloide. Se realizó además una biopsia rectal donde también se observó material amiloide. Debido a la poca sintomatología y a la ausencia de compromiso de un órgano que comprometa la vida, en este paciente se optó por un manejo conservador.

Amyloidosis is a disease characterized by extracellular deposition of fibrils made of lowmolecular weight subunits of a variety of proteins. It can be classified according to itsdistribution and the fibrillar protein constituent. The prevalence varies by thegeographical area studied and the prognosis depends on the tissue or organ concerned.We present the case of a young man with longstanding dysphonia without otheraccompanying symptoms whose nasofibroscopy showed a tumor in the laryngeal region.In the pathological material, hyaline congophillic material compatible with amyloid wasobserved. A rectal biopsy was also performed and amyloid material was also observed.Due to the few symptoms and the absence of organ involvement that compromises life,we opted for a conservative management in this patient.

Amiloidosis sistémica con compromiso cutáneo asociada a mieloma múltiple: presentación de un caso / Systemic amyloidosis with cutaneous involvement associated with multiple myeloma: a case report

Las amiloidosis son un grupo de enfermedades que se caracterizan por el depósito extracelular de material amiloide en órganos y tejidos, afectando su función normal. Se clasifican según la proteína fibrilar involucrada y, de acuerdo a su distribución, en localizada o sistémica.Presentamos una paciente con amiloidosis sistémica asociada a mieloma múltiple con compromiso esofágico y cutáneo. El interés de la presentación radica en la importancia del reconocimiento de las lesiones cutáneas características, para realizar diagnóstico precoz de esta patología.

Amyloidosis is a group of diseases characterized by the extracellular deposition of amyloid in organs and tissues affecting their normal function. They are classified by the fibrillar protein involved and, according distribution, in localized or systemic. A female patient with systemic amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma and esophageal and cutaneous involvement is reported. Interest of this presentation is the importance in recognizing the characteristic skin lesions to make an early diagnosis of this disease.

Amiloidose sistêmica primária AL: relato de caso e considerações associadas / Primary systemic AL amyloidosis: case report and associated considerations

Amiloidose não é uma única doença, e sim, uma condição presente em um grupo de doenças que tem em comum a deposição extracelular patológica de proteínas insolúveis em órgãos ou tecidos. Todas as fibrilas amiloides compartilham uma mesma estrutura secundária, a conformação em folha -pregueada, e um componente não fibrilar idêntico, a pentraxina amiloide sérica P (APS). Relatamos o caso de um paciente com 62 anos, portador de amiloidose sistêmica do tipo AL. O diagnóstico foi constatado através de exames histopatológicos e de imagens. Após diagnóstico, paciente foi submetido a seis ciclos de quimioterapia com vincristina, adriamicina e dexametasona (VAD). Após o qual, foi realizado manutenção com ciclofosfamida, 600mg por um dia, e dexametasona, 40mg por quatro dias repetidos a cada 28 dias. Paciente evoluiu com melhora da sintomatologia e retorno às suas atividades habituais.

Amyloidosis is a condition inherent to a group of diseases, which exhibit the common feature of pathological extracellular deposition of insoluble proteins in organs or tissues. All amyloid fibrils share the same secondary structure, the ?-pleated sheet conformation, and a nonfibrillar identical component, the serum amyloid pentraxin (SAP). We report a 62-year-old man with systemic AL amyloidosis. Diagnosis was made through histopathology and imaging. The patient underwent 6 cycles of vincristine, adriamycin and dexamethasone (VAD), with maintenance with cyclophosphamide 600mg for 1 day and dexamethasone 40mg/day for 4 days every 28 days. The patient was relieved of his symptoms and returned to his daily activities.

Manifestaciones osteoarticulares por amiloidosis sistémica / Osteoarticular manifestations by systemic amyloidosis

La amiloidosis es un grupo de enfermedades cuyo común denominador es el depósito extracelular de fibrillas insolubles derivadas de proteínas en órganos y tejidos. De acuerdo a su etiología y al tipo de proteína depositada existen varias clases de amiloi-dosis. A pesar que la incidencia de amiloidosis sisté -mica secundaria (AA) ha disminuido notoriamente con el advenimiento de drogas modificadoras de la enfermedad (DMARD) y terapia biológica, continúa siendo el tipo de amiloidosis más frecuentemente observada por el reumatólogo. En este artículo revisamos la historia, clasificación, epidemiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la amiloidosis sistémica haciendo énfasis en las manifestaciones osteoar-ticulares que produce la enfermedad y en las distintas enfermedades reumatológicas que pueden originar una amiloidosis secundaria (AA). Así mismo publicamos un material fotográfico recopilado durante 20 años en diferentes centros de reumatología del país que es de gran ayuda para realizar el diagnóstico clínico de esta infrecuente patología.

Amyloidosis is a generic term that refers to the extracellular tissue deposition of fibrils composed of low molecular weight subunits of a variety of proteins. Amyloidosis classification depends on its etiology and subtype of protein involved. Systemic secondary amyloidosis (AA) is the most frequent subtype seen on rheumatology services because rheumatoid arthritis is currently the most frequent cause of AA, although its incidence has been declined because a better treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD). In this review we provide a general overview of the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of the systemic amyloidosis, emphasizing on the rheu-matic manifestations of these disorders. Besides, we present a photographic material obtained in the last 20 years in several rheumatologic centers in our country that it has a crucial role in the diagnosis and follow-up of this infrequent pathology.