[Secondary amyloidosis in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

Examination of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients (52 males and 35 females) revealed secondary amyloidosis (SA) in 44.2% and 48.6% of patients, respectively. The disease was confirmed by amyloid deposits in biopsy specimens of gingival mucosa. As far as age-specific SA incidence is concerned, SA was more prevalent in elderly age-groups: 29.7% and 80% in males under and over 50, respectively; 15.4% and 68.2% in relevant women. The disease history in old patients was not long: 4.6 +/- 1.0 yr and 3.3 +/- 0.7 yr for males and females, respectively. Not a single case of amyloid deposit occurred in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus at the age over 60. The contribution of sex hormones and other factors to SA onset in RA is under discussion. An old age of RA patients and associated infection, especially urogenic, can predispose to SA development.