Skip to main content
Log in

Amyloidosis mimicking rheumatoid arthritis

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Clinical Rheumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A 49-year-old man presented a clinical picture suggesting seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. He developed severe joint contractions, pasty synovial swelling, macroglossia and proteinurie. Subsequent investigations disclosed light-chain multiple myeloma and A1-amyloid deposits in synovial tissue and skin. A1-amyloidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with seronegative polyarthritis. Clues to the diagnosis of amyloid arthropathy are a carpal tunnel syndrome, early occurrence of joint contractures in combination with a relatively mild synovitis and a low ESR as well as the presence of other possible organ involvement with amyloidosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Friman C, Pettersson T. Amyloidosis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 1996;8:62–71.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Kyle RA, Gertz MA. Primary systemic amyloidosis: clinical and laboratory features in 474 cases. Semin Hematol 1995;32:45–59.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Janssen S, van Rijswijk MH, Meijer S, Ruinen L, van der Hem GK. Systemic amyloidosis: a clinical survery of 144 cases. Neth J Med 1986;29:376–85.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Wiernik P. Amyloid joint disease. Medicine 1972;51:465–79.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Stone M, Frenkel E. The clinical spectrum of light chain myeloma. Am J Med 1975;58:601–19.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Pascali E, Pezolli A, Melato M, Antonutto G. Pseudotumoral (para-articulair; amyloidosis in non-myelomatous monoclonal gammopathy. Pathol Res Pract 1980;168:215–23.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Kyle RA, Greipp PR. Amyloidosis (AL) Clinical and laboratory features in 229 cases. Mayo Clin Proc 1983;58:665–83.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Skinner M, Anderson JJ, Simms R, Falk R, Wang M, Libbey CA, et al. Treatment of 100 patients with primary amyloidosis. A randomized trial of melphalan, prednisone, and colchine versus colchicine only. Am J Med 1996;100:290–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Hickling P, Wilkins M, Newman GR, Pritchard MH, Jessop J, Whittaker J, Nuki G. A study of amyloid arthropathy in multiple myeloma. Q J Med 1981;50:417–33.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Gordon D, Pruzanski W, Ogryzlo M, Little H. Amyloidarthritis simulating rheumatoid disease in five patients with multiple myeloma. Am J Med 1973;55:142–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Hicks KA, Dickie WR. Amyloidosis. Report of a case presenting with macroglossia. Br J Plas Chir 1973;26:274–6.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kyle RA, Gertz MA, Greipp PR, Witzig TE, Lust JA, Lacy MQ. A trial of three regimens for primary amyloidosis: colchicine alone, melphalan, and prednisone, and melphalan, prednisone and colchicine. New Engl J Med 1997;17:1202–7.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

de Ruiter, E.A., Ronday, H.K. & Markusse, H.M. Amyloidosis mimicking rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol 17, 409–411 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01450905

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01450905

Keywords

Navigation