POEMS syndrome in a female Italian patient. A case report.
POEMS syndrome is an uncommon association of polyneuropathy, organomegaly (liver, spleen, lymph nodes), endocrinopathy (hypogonadism primary hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, adrenal insufficiency), monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes; bone lesions (generally osteosclerotic, less frequently osteolytic or mixed) are nearly always present in this multisystem disease. We describe the first case of a female Italian patient with POEMS syndrome. Therapy with prednisone was of scant benefit and the patient died of cardiogenic shock some days after temporary pacemaker implantation, performed for recurrent episodes of bradycardia. From the beginning of steroid therapy she survived about fifteen months.
Divisione di Medicina II, Ospedale S. Corona, Garbagnate Milanese, Milano.
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Bertola
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Torchio
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Mattioli
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Bocchia
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Meregalli
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged; D016878:POEMS Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone