Successful stabilisation of nephropathy in a patient with POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-band, skin changes) syndrome on treatment with mycophenolate and steroids: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Renal involvement in POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-band, skin changes) syndrome is considered to be an under-diagnosed phenomenon with no clear treatment path. The limited literature suggests steroids to be the drug of choice, although improvements are limited and usually reverse on withdrawal of the drug.


METHODS
A 52-year-old Caucasian woman presenting with features consistent with POEMS syndrome developed progressive renal impairment with proteinuria. Renal biopsy revealed a membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. She was treated with relatively low dose oral mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone which stabilised her nephropathy and neuropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
We describe an alternative therapeutic option in patients with this serious but poorly understood condition.
Rosser
Gareth J
GJ
Lister Renal Unit, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, SG1 4AB, UK. garethrosser@hotmail.com.
Reitböck
Pablo Garcia
PG
Gray
Martin C
MC
Warwicker
Paul
P