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. 2010 Oct;85(10):933-42.
doi: 10.4065/mcp.2010.0337. Epub 2010 Aug 16.

Prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: a systematic review

Rishi K Wadhera  1 , S Vincent Rajkumar
Affiliations

Prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: a systematic review

Rishi K Wadhera et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2010 Oct.

Abstract

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant plasma cell disorder that is associated with a lifelong risk of multiple myeloma. We conducted a systematic review of all studies investigating the prevalence and incidence of MGUS in the online database PubMed. The review was conducted from January 6, 2009, through January 15, 2010. The following MeSH search headings were used: monoclonal gammopathy, benign and prevalence; monoclonal gammopathy, benign and incidence; paraproteinemia and prevalence; and paraproteinemia and incidence. Articles were limited to those written in English and published by January 2009. Fourteen studies that met prespecified criteria were included and systematically assessed to identify the most accurate prevalence estimates of MGUS based on age, sex, and race. On the basis of our systematic review, we estimate that the crude prevalence of MGUS in those older than 50 years is 3.2% in a predominantly white population. Studies in white and Japanese populations demonstrate a clear increase in prevalence with age. The prevalence is also affected by sex: 3.7% and 2.9% in white men and women, respectively; and 2.8% and 1.6% in Japanese men and women, respectively. Additionally, MGUS is significantly more prevalent in black people (5.9%-8.4%) than in white people (3.0%-3.6%). We conclude that MGUS is a common premalignant plasma cell disorder in the general population of those older than 50 years. The prevalence increases with age and is affected by race, sex, family history, immunosuppression, and pesticide exposure. These results are important for counseling, clinical care, and the design of clinical studies in high-risk populations.

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Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
Prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance by age. (This illustration is in color online only.)
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2.
Prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in males vs females. (This illustration is in color online only.)
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 3.
Prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in nonblack vs black races. (This illustration is in color online only.)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Rajkumar SV. MGUS and smoldering multiple myeloma: update on pathogenesis, natural history, and management. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2005:340-345 - PubMed
    1. Kyle RA, Rajkumar SV. Multiple myeloma. Blood. 2008;111:2962-2972 - PMC - PubMed
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    1. Bida JP, Kyle RA, Therneau TM, et al. Disease associations with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: a population-based study of 17,398 patients. Mayo Clin Proc. 2009;84:685-693 - PMC - PubMed

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