[Double gammopathies. Incidence and characteristics (83 cases). Clinical correlations (62 cases)]

Within 13 years (1969-1981) 1 339 monoclonal gammopathies were recognized and fully investigated. The following were remarked: the high frequency of "double gammopathies": 6,2 p. 100 (83 cases); the high frequency of the association of (G + M): 52,4 p. 100 of double gammopathies of different classes (63 cases); both of these probably in relation of the abnormal frequency of the IgM-gammopathies (35,4 p. 100 in the Anjou province). Clinical correlation of double gammopathies do not appear to be different from those noticed in monoclonal gammopathies. In the 62 cases of obvious diagnosis, chronic lymphoproliferative diseases are the more frequent: 32,3 p. 100, followed by 17,7 p. 100 of multiple myelomas, 14,5 p. 100 of carcinoma, 4,9 p. 100 of other malignant diseases, 22,6 p. 100 of benign disorders and 8 p. 100 of idiopathic cases. In all the cases of multiple myeloma and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, a reciprocal correlation is remarked between predominant monoclonal immunoglobulin and the diagnosis. In all the other diseases (except for 3 cases) one of the two monoclonal components is an IgM.