Secondary systemic amyloidosis is a disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid deposits.

Secondary means it occurs because of another disease or situation. For example, this condition usually occurs as a result of chronic infection or chronic inflammatory disease.

Systemic means body-wide. For example, a systemic disease affects the entire body.

See also:

• Cardiac amyloidosis
• Hereditary amyloidosis
• Primary amyloidosis

Amyloidosis - secondary systemic

The exact cause of amyloidosis is unknown. You are more likely to develop secondary systemic amyloidosis if you have a long-term infection or inflammation.

This condition may occur along with:

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Bronchiectasis
• Chronic osteomyelitis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Hairy cell leukemia
• Hodgkin's disease
• Long-term skin abscess and certain ulcers
• Long-term kidney dialysis
• Juvenile chronic arthritis
• Multiple myeloma
• Reiter syndrome
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sjogren syndrome
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Tuberculosis

Buxbaum JN. The amyloidoses. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 296.