Amyloidosis. What is amyloidosis?

THE amyloidosis is a group of diseases characterized by the deposition of proteins in a specific organ. It results from the conversion of soluble proteins into non-soluble aggregates that form amyloid fibers. The disease is rare and affects both men and women.

This protein can be deposited in several organs, the most common being the heart, liver and kidneys. Deposition can occur in several ways and, with this, develop several clinical forms. It's a potentially lethal disease.

The kidney is a very affected organ and, if left untreated, the disease can progress to kidney failure and even death. When it affects the heart, the disease can lead to systolic dysfunction, arrhythmias and heart failure.

We can classify amyloidosis into three types: primary amyloidosis, secondary amyloidosis and hereditary amyloidosis. In primary amyloidosis, the cause is unknown and accumulation occurs mainly in the heart, thyroid, liver and kidney. Secondary amyloidosis is the result of other diseases, such as tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, among others. In the secondary form, accumulation tends to be in the spleen, liver, kidneys, adrenals and lymph nodes. The hereditary form is a form that affects nerves and some other organs. This last form is common in individuals from Portugal, Sweden and Japan. There is also a form of amyloidosis related to Alzheimer's disease.

It is a rare disease, of unknown causes and difficult to diagnose, as it does not have very specific symptoms. Suspicion occurs when some organs start to have their functions reduced and the patient has bleeding for no reason. The diagnosis can be confirmed through biopsies and subcutaneous fat aspiration.

Treatment is not always necessary. When it is derived from another disease, its treatment can reverse the amyloidosis. When treatment is necessary, it is based on the use of medications that try to reduce inflammation and make the amyloid protein regress. The buildup can also be surgically removed and sometimes an organ transplant is necessary.

by Vanessa dos Santos
Graduated in Biology

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