Amyloidosis and Crohn's disease

Abstract

Amyloidosis associated with Crohn's disease was found in 7 patients among 85 subjected to intestinal resection for granulomatous enterocolitis. Most of the patients had symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease of relatively short duration before the diagnosis of amyloidosis was made and were without suppurative complications. Systemic involvement was seen in 6 of the patients. One died postoperatively from renal failure, and in 2 other patients kidney transplantation was performed because of deterioration of a pre-existent renal insufficiency. Six patients were alive 6 months to 10 years after amyloidosis was diagnosed. There is great risk of rapid deterioration of kidney function postoperatively in these patients. However, our experience suggests that in some cases the progression of amyloidosis may be delayed or even brought to a halt after surgical treatment of Crohn's disease.