Renal amyloidosis in intravenous heroin addicts with nephrotic syndrome and renal failure.
BACKGROUND
Renal amyloidosis has emerged as an important differential diagnosis when heroin addicts are admitted to renal clinics with proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome.


METHODS
We present nine heroin addicts with renal AA amyloidosis, a condition previously not encountered in Norway, who were admitted to our renal clinic during the last 3.5 years. In the same time period a total of 209 patients were biopsied from native kidneys.


RESULTS
Heroin abuse was associated with 70% of all biopsy-verified renal AA amyloidosis during this time period. Renal amyloidosis was found in 9 of the 12 heroin addicts that were biopsied. 6 of the 9 heroin addicts with amyloidosis required dialysis within 13 months after admission.


CONCLUSIONS
Renal AA amyloidosis among heroin addicts seems to be associated with chronic suppurative skin infections. AA amyloidosis should always be considered in chronic heroin addicts presenting with proteinuria and renal impairment.
Manner
I
I
Department of Nephrology, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. iwma@online.no
Sagedal
S
S
Røger
M
M
Os
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications*