POEMS SYNDROME IN CHINESE

POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrine disturbance, M-protein and skin hyperpigmentation) syndrome occurring in Chinese has been ina dequately described. Here we report our experience of 12 Chinese patie nts with the syndrome. This series is similar to those reported from J apan and from the Western world by the predominance of middle-aged mal es. Diabetic mellitus, a common feature in POEMS syndrome, was not pre sent in our patients. M-protein of the lambda type was demonstrated in 7 patients by immunoelectrophoresis or by immunofixation electrophore sis. Osteosclerosis in Chinese patients is not as common as in patient s reported from Japan or from the Western world; a common radiographic finding in our patients was a compression fracture of the thoraco-lum bar spine with or without sclerotic and lytic lesions. The condition h as a grave prognosis; 9 patients die within 4 years after onset of the disease despite various kinds of treatment.