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Rheumatologist, immunologist

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How is amyloidosis treated?

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024

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Secondary amyloidosis treats the underlying disease: for rheumatic diseases, immunosuppressive therapy is chosen to suppress the activity of the disease, in chronic purulent processes, antibiotics or surgical treatment are used, cancer is removed from oncological diseases, etc. In addition, there are funds that inhibit the development of amyloidosis. The most effective drug that is used in the treatment of a recurrent disease is colchicine. Dimethylsulfoxide and preparations (for example, melphalan), which suppress the function of clones of lymphocytes synthesizing the light chains of immunoglobulins, are also used. These chains are involved in the formation of amyloid fibrils in primary amyloidosis and amyloidosis in myeloma (AL-amyloid). In chronic renal failure, arterial hypertension, malabsorption syndrome, heart failure, symptomatic treatment is also performed.

Colchicine with long-term administration depresses bone marrow hematopoiesis and causes agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia. In this regard, it is necessary to periodically conduct a general blood test. It is necessary to warn the patient that at the first signs of an infectious disease (weakness, headache, sore throat, fever) should consult a doctor.

With amyloidosis of the kidneys at the stage of chronic post-insufficiency, it is possible to use hemodialysis and kidney transplantation.

Prognosis for amyloidosis

The prognosis for developing amyloidosis is unfavorable. Most patients die within a few years from renal insufficiency. In some cases, the development of remission is possible against the background of taking colchicine and treating the underlying disease.

trusted-source [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

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