Peripheral neuropathies in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia

Abstract

Objective: We sought to determine the prevalence, clinical features, and laboratory characteristics of polyneuropathies in Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia (WM), a malignant bone marrow disorder with lymphocytes that produce monoclonal IgM. Methods: We prospectively studied 119 patients with WM and 58 controls. Medical history was taken, and neurological examinations, electrodiagnostic tests, and serum studies were performed by different examiners who were blinded to results except the diagnosis of WM. Results: Polyneuropathy symptoms, including discomfort and sensory loss in the legs, occurred more frequently (pConclusions: Peripheral nerve symptoms and signs occur more frequently in patients with WM than controls, involve sensory modalities, and are often associated with gait disorders. IgM binding to MAG or sulphatide is associated with a further increase in the frequency and severity of peripheral nerve involvement. Age related changes, similar to those in controls, add to the degree of reduced nerve function in patients with WM.