Amyloidosis Flashcards
Define Amyloidosis?
Heterogenous group of diseases characterised by extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils
What is the aetiology of Amyloidosis?
Amyloid fibrils are polymers of low-molecular-weight subunit proteins
These are derived from proteins that undergo conformational changes to adopt an anti-parallel beta-pleated sheet configuration
Their deposition progressively disrupts the structure and function of normal tissue
How is Amyloidosis classified?
According to the fibril subunit proteins
What are the different types of Amyloidosis?
Type AA - serum amyloid A protein
Type AL - monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains
Type ATTR (familial amyloid polyneuropathy) - genetic/variant transthyretin
What is the epidemiology of Amyloidosis?
AA - incidence of 1-5% amongst patients with chronic inflammatory diseases
AL - 300-600 cases in the UK per year
Hereditary Amyloidosis - accounts for 5% of patients with Amyloidosis
What are the renal symptoms and signs of Amyloidosis?
Proteinuria
Nephrotic Syndrome
Renal Failure
What are the cardiac symptoms and signs of Amyloidosis?
Restrictive cardiomyography
Heart Failure
Arrhythmia
Angina
What are the GI symptoms and signs of Amyloidosis?
Macroglossia (characteristic of AL) Hepatosplenomegaly Gut Dysmotility Malabsorption Bleeding
What are the Neurological symptoms and signs of Amyloidosis?
Sensory and motor neuropathy
Autonomic neuropathy
Carpal tunnel syndrome
What are the symptoms and signs you see on the skin in Amyloidosis?
Waxy skin and easy bruising
Purpura around the eyes (characteristic of AL)
Plaques and nodules
What are the symptoms and signs you see on the joints in Amyloidosis?
Painful asymmetrical large joints
Enlargement of anterior shoulder
What are the haematological symptoms and signs we see in Amyloidosis?
Bleeding Tendency
What investigations do we do for Amyloidosis?
Tissue Biopsy
Urine
Bloods
SAP scan
What would we check for in the urine in Amyloidosis?
Check for proteinuria
Free immunoglobulin light chains (in AL)
What bloods would you do for Amyloidosis?
CRP/ESR Rheumatoid Factor Immunoglobulin levels Serum protein electrophoresis LFTs U&Es