[Immunosuppressive therapy of secondary amyloidosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis or Still's disease]

Ten cases of renal amyloidosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 9) or Still's disease (n = 1) were studied retrospectively. One patient had end-stage renal failure at first presentation, whereas the nine others had nephrotic syndrome without renal failure as the initial manifestation of amyloidosis. In the three untreated patients, renal function deteriorated steadily and dialysis was rapidly necessary. In contrast, among the six patients given chemotherapy, four had normal renal function under therapy. These favorable therapeutic results are analyzed and compared with previously published data on the treatment of secondary amyloidosis.