Definition

Secondary systemic amyloid is a disorder in which insoluble protein fibers become deposited in tissues and organs impairing their function. It is found in association withchronic infection or chronic inflammatory disease.

Causes

The exact mechanism that causes secondary systemic amyloid is unknown. The risk factors are the presence ofchronic inflammatory or infectious diseases. Secondary systemic amyloid occurs in association with multiple myeloma, and chronic conditions (those that last for 5 or more years) such as: rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, long term paraplegia, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, chronic osteomyelitis, recurrent pyogenic (involving pus) skin infection/abscess, decubitus ulcers, chronic renaldialysis, juvenile chronic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Reiter's syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, Hodgkin's disease, Sjogren's syndrome, and hairy cell leukemia.

Symptoms are the same as in primary amyloidosis. The symptoms are related to the organs that become affected with the deposits. The affected organs exhibit reduced function.

Review Date: 6/5/2003
Reviewed By: Ezra E. W. Cohen, M.D., Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.