Comparison of pathophysiological differences in TAFRO syndrome with or without lymphadenopathy

In diagnosing TAFRO syndrome, lymph node histology often may not be evaluated due to inapparent lymphadenopathy. In this study, we analyzed the differences in the pathophysiology of TAFRO syndrome with or without lymphadenopathy. We used an anonymous questionnaire to survey 70 hematologists at 50 hospitals in the Kanto Koshinetsu area of Japan from February to April 2020. We received 31 responses and collected 26 cases with TAFRO syndrome. Compared to cases with or without lymph node biopsy, clinical features and laboratory test findings in both groups were not significantly different, except for stronger renal insufficiency found in those without biopsy. It was also revealed that clinical features and laboratory test findings had no significant differences between the cases with and without lymphadenopathy. However, renal insufficiency was more pronounced in those without lymphadenopathy. There were no significant differences in pathophysiology between cases with or without lymphadenopathy in the group that did not undergo lymph node biopsy. In the treatment strategies, no significant differences were found dependent on lymphadenopathy. This study shows that lymphadenopathy in TAFRO syndrome may be secondary to inflammation and unrelated to the underlying disease.