[Secondary amyloidosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)]

The amyloidoses are a group of protein deposition diseases in which amyloid proteins composed of insoluble fibrils are deposited in various organs. Most cases of the secondary amyloidosis(AA amyloidosis) in which amyloid A(AA) protein is deposited followed by uncontrolled, long term RA(duration 7 to 10 years). It has been revealed that the multi-organ dysfunction associated with AA amyloidosis causes the deterioration of RA prognosis. Since the mechanism of amyloid protein deposition is still unknown, the diagnosis of AA amyloidosis is difficult and there is no fundamental therapy for it; there are only supportive therapies for the malfunction of involved organs.