Systemic amyloidosis in inflammatory bowel disease: Retrospective study on its prevalence, clinical presentation, and outcome
Received 31 October 2009; received in revised form 13 November 2009; accepted 19 November 2009. published online 18 December 2009. Corrected Proof
Abstract
Background
Systemic amyloidosis is a rare but life-threatening complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), most cases being reported among Crohn's disease (CD) patients. The only two available retrospective studies showed a prevalence ranging from 0.9% to 3% among CD patients.
Aims
To evaluate the prevalence of secondary systemic amyloidosis in a large IBD cohort of a referral centre, and to describe its clinical characteristics and outcome.
Methods
Patients diagnosed with amyloidosis were identified among 1006 IBD patients included in the IBD database of our centre, and their medical records were carefully reviewed.
Results
Among a total of 1006 IBD patients, 5 cases of amyloidosis were identified, all of them with CD, resulting in a prevalence of 0.5% for IBD and 1% for CD. Two patients died after developing renal failure. Two patients were treated with anti-TNF agents, showing a clinical improvement of their amyloidosis.
Conclusions
Secondary amyloidosis occurs mainly in long-lasting, complicated, Crohn's disease and seems to be as prevalent among IBD patients as previously reported.
ABSTRACT
34 93 497 89 09; fax: +