Fast Five Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Amyloidosis?

Herbert S. Diamond, MD

Disclosures

November 02, 2018

The decreased incidence of AA amyloidosis is probably due to improved treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases and chronic infections associated with the condition. For example, targeted biological therapies have dramatically decreased levels of inflammation in previously refractory rheumatic conditions. Other factors contributing to the decreased incidence of amyloidosis include earlier disease intervention and wider information sharing.

One of the three most common forms of amyloidosis is AA amyloidosis, formerly referred to as "secondary amyloidosis" or "inflammatory amyloidosis." AA amyloidosis is associated with systemic deposition of serum amyloid A that occurs during the course of chronic inflammatory disease. Rheumatic diseases are most often implicated in industrialized nations, whereas chronic infection is more likely associated in developing countries.

Although long-term exposure to polluted air has been associated with the accumulation of amyloid beta-42, air pollution is not a known risk factor for amyloidosis.

In addition to patients with chronic inflammatory disease, patients who are older, male, of black African descent, or on hemodialysis and those with a family history of amyloidosis also at increased risk of developing amyloidosis.

For more on the incidence of amyloidosis, read here.

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