title: Higher prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in African Americans than whites--the unknown role of underlying HIV infection.
abstract: The age-adjusted prevalence rate of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is three-fold higher in African Americans than whites. Similarly, there is a higher preponderance of multiple myeloma (MM) in African-American patients. Since the risk of progression of MGUS to MM is equal in both races, identification of exogenous and genetic risk factors of MGUS [such as genetic pre-disposition; diet; and chronic antigenic exposure related to sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection] is essential for unraveling the etiology of the racial disparity for MM. HIV infection, a well-documented risk factor for MGUS, is more frequent in African-American patients. Future epidemiologic studies dealing with plasma cell disorders should carefully examine the relationship between race, HIV infection status, prevalence of MGUS and its ultimate progression to MM.
authors.forename: Panagiotis A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Konstantinopoulos
authors.forename: Liron
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pantanowitz
authors.forename: Bruce J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Dezube
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018450:Disease Progression; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000821:virology; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000821:virology*; D015995:Prevalence; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data