Secondary amyloidosis in Indigenous Australians.

Abstract

Secondary amyloidosis (AA) is an established consequence of many chronic inflammatory conditions. In the developed world, it is most often the result of rheumatological disease. However, the relative frequency of underlying causes may be different in indigenous populations. We present a case series of three remote-living, Indigenous Australians found to have pathologically confirmed amyloidosis and renal impairment at diagnosis. The presence of an underlying inflammatory condition was unclear in two cases. The remaining case had established bronchiectasis and suffered rapidly progressive renal impairment at a young age.