title: A retrospective study to evaluate the work-up and follow-up of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a plasma cell proliferative disorder that transforms into multiple myeloma and other serious B-cell disorders at an approximate rate of 1% per year; these patients are also at increased risk for fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study of 100 patients from seven community health clinics to gain a better understanding of the work-up, follow-up, and treatment of these patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MGUS patients appear to undergo inadequate work-up, follow-up, and treatment in the community setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physicians should adhere to recently established guidelines to ensure that MGUS patients receive optimal care for this condition.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA. jberenson@imbcr.org
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Berenson
authors.forename: Ori
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yellin
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quiery
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Siu-Fun
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Colbourn
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gravenor
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tiffany
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Shamasunder
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Waterman
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Melamed
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wirtschafter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D059021:Laboratory Proficiency Testing / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008998:Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates