Author: Tadashi Nakamura,

Source: Current Rheumatology Reviews, Volume 3, Number 3, August 2007 , pp. 231-241(11)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an uncommon yet important complication. There is both startling variation and different prevalence among different races in the frequency of AA amyloidosis worldwide and the fact that AA amyloidosis is not consistently related to length and severity of RA inflammation suggests the involvement of genetic factors. Serum amyloid A (SAA)1.3 allele, in particular homozygosity of this allele, has been revealed to be not only a risk factor for the association of AA amyloidosis but also a poor prognostic factor in survival of Japanese patients with RA. This leads us to the notion of clinical significance of SAA1.3 allele in the management of Japanese RA patients. Renal involvement is a pivotal clinical manifestation in the development of AA amyloidosis. Cyclophosphamide is superior to methotrexate in the medication of RA patients with AA amyloidosis. Etanercept showed an efficacy for patients with AA amyloidosis secondary to RA who carry SAA1.3 allele, suggesting a possibility of the drug as a tailor-made medicine. It is probable that SAA plays not only an important role in the development of AA amyloidosis but also interacts as a factor closely involved in metabolic syndrome in health and disease.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis; AA amyloidosis; genetic factor; SAA1.3 allele; tailor-made medicine; metabolic syndrome

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339707781387581

Publication date: 2007-08-01

More about this publication?

• Current Rheumatology Reviews publishes frontier reviews on all the latest advances on rheumatology and its related areas e.g. pharmacology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical care, and therapy. The journal's aim is to publish the highest quality review articles dedicated to clinical research in the field.
  
  The journal is essential reading for all researchers and clinicians in rheumatology.

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Allergy & Immunology ,  Internal Medicine ,  Pediatrics
• By this author: Tadashi Nakamura,

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers