The clinical features and outcomes of systemic light chain amyloidosis with hepatic involvement

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of hepatic systemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis. Methods Eighty-eight patients diagnosed AL amyloidosis with hepatic involvement between June 2004 and January 2019 were analysed retrospectively. Results The median age of the patients was 55 years old, and the male to female ratio was 2.8:1.The main clinical manifestations include edema, digestive symptoms, weight loss, fatigue and ascites. Fifty-one patients received treatment, 42 patients were suitable for therapeutic efficacy evaluation and 25 (59.5%) achieved haematologic response. The median survival time was nine months, and the survival rates at one year, three years and five years were 33.0%, 11.4% and 6.8%, respectively. The risk of death was 6.6 times that of those who did not achieve haematologic response. Multivariate analysis showed that baseline NT-proBNP ≥ 1800 pg/ml and total bilirubin ≥ 34.2 umol/L were predictive of all-cause death. Conclusions Systemic light chain amyloidosis with hepatic involvement is associated with poor survival but rarely has specific manifestations. The significant increase of NT-proBNP and hyperbilirubinemia indicate a poor prognosis. Vigilance should be raised to the relevant clinical manifestations, early diagnosis and timely treatment can improve the prognosis. KEY MESSAGES Systemic light chain amyloidosis with hepatic involvement is associated with poor survival but rarely has specific manifestations. The significant increase of NT-proBNP and hyperbilirubinemia indicate a poor prognosis.