Clinical features and survival analysis of light-chain amyloidosis associated renal disease

Objective To analyze the clinical pathology features of light-chain amyloidosis associated renal disease,and investigate the survival influential factors. Method From January 1998 to March 2009,25 patients with light-chain amyloidosis associated renal disease were reviewed and followed up.Results Of the 25 patients with light-chain amyloidosis associated renal disease,median age was 57(37-69) years old and lamda light-chain predominated (88% ,22/25). Heavy proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome with peripheral edema were typical clinical presentations. Renal biopsy showed that amyloid deposition of light-chain amyloidosis associated renal disease involved the glomeruh mostly, with mesangial area widening. Median survival of all patients was 24.4 months after diagnosis. The estimated 1,2,3 year survival rate was (65 ± 10 )%, (46 ± 12 )% and (15 ± 12 )% respectively. There was significant difference in median survival between the two groups (24.7 months in the group of 14 patients with isolated kidney affected,16.4 months in the group of 11 patients with kidney and other organs involved,P = 0.03). By univariate analysis, kidney associated with other organs amyloidosis and renal dysfunction were relevant to prognosis (P ＜ 0.05) and heart involvement was probably relevant (P = 0.06),whereas sex,age,plasma cell ratio,serum albumin level and hemoglobin level had no relation(P＞ 0.05 ). Multivariate analysis revealed that renal dysfunction at the time of diagnosis was a significant and independent prognostic factor for survival (P ＜0.05). Conclusions Renal dysfunction at the time of diagnosis is the best predictor of survival. The presence of amyloidosis in organs other than the kidney, such as advanced cardiac amyloidosis, predicts a poor survival. Key words: Prognosis;  Renal amyloidosis;  Immunoglobulin light-chain;  Survival analysis