POEMS syndrome in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Multiple myeloma has been reported to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). POEMS syndrome is a rare variant of multiple myeloma and is characterised by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes. We report the case of a 67-year-old patient with RA who developed numbness and tingling in both legs due to polyneuropathy. CT showed a massive right pleural effusion and a sclerotic lesion in the right ninth rib. Histopathological examination of the rib revealed IgA lambda-type plasmacytoma. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor was extremely high at 5530 pg/mL. We made a diagnosis of POEMS syndrome. A literature search of the PubMed database identified only two documented cases of POEMS syndrome in patients with RA. Neuropathies are reportedly more frequent in patients with RA than in the general population. Rheumatologists should consider POEMS syndrome in patients with RA and neurological symptoms.

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