Wednesday, February, 15, 2012

Secondary systemic amyloid

Table of Contents

Definition

Secondary systemic amyloidosis is a disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid deposits.

Secondary means it occurs because of another disease or situation. For example, this condition usually occurs as a result of chronic infection or chronic inflammatory disease. Primary amyloidosis means there is no disease that is causing the condition.

Systemic means body-wide. For example, a systemic disease affects the entire body.

See also:

  • Cardiac amyloidosis
  • Hereditary amyloidosis
  • Primary amyloidosis

Alternative Names

Amyloidosis - secondary systemic


Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The exact cause of amyloidosis is unknown. You are more likely to develop secondary systemic amyloidosis if you have a long-term infection or inflammation.

This condition may occur with:

  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Chronic osteomyelitis
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Hairy cell leukemia
  • Hodgkin's disease
  • Juvenile chronic arthritis
  • Kidney dialysis
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Reiter syndrome
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Sjogren syndrome
  • Skin abscess or long-term infection
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Tuberculosis

Review Date: 05/29/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)