HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

[Endocrine diseases in POEMS syndrome. Apropos of 4 cases].

Abstract
POEMS syndrome is a rare systemic multi-organ disease usually reported in Japanese patients. The clinical course is slow with a 5-year survival of 60%. Death is caused by polyneuropathy and or anasarka. We observed four cases in our ward (all males, aged 39, 57, 54 and 54 years) who all presented at least four characteristic clinical signs. Gynecomasty together with impotency was seen in all patients. All had hypogonadism and borderline hyperprolactinaemia. Hyperoestrogenism was seen in two. In three patients, rare endocrinopathies were part of the POEMS syndrome. One patient had diabetes mellitus. The clinical course was variable and a function of the effectiveness of plasmocyte dyscrasia therapy. Little work has been done on endocrinopathies in POEMS syndrome. In most cases, gonadotrope function is impaired with gynecomasty and impotency in men, amenorrhoea in women. Generally the hypogonadism is hypogonadotropic. Hyperoestrogenism is frequent and prolactin levels are normal or high with an exaggerated response to thyroid releasing hormone stimulation. The aetiology of POEMS syndrome is unknown. Current research is based on an immunologic theory based on the discovery of high levels of interleukin 6 in POEMS patients with or without Castleman's disease. The cytokine would affect the different organs and lead to clinical expression. Corticosteroids are usually effective in most patients, particularly in reducing the oedema and controlling the polyneuropathy.
AuthorsA P Gimenez-Roqueplo, S Casanova, E Bruckert, F Bolgert, G Turpin
JournalPresse medicale (Paris, France : 1983) (Presse Med) Vol. 23 Issue 27 Pg. 1243-6 (Sep 17 1994) ISSN: 0755-4982 [Print] France
Vernacular TitleLes endocrinopathies dans le POEMS syndrome. A propos de quatre observations.
PMID7971857 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)
Topics
  • Adult
  • Endocrine System Diseases (etiology, physiopathology)
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • POEMS Syndrome (diagnosis, physiopathology)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: