The term "monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance(MGUS)" denotes the presence of a M-protein in patients without multiple myeloma, macroglobulinemia, amyloidosis, or other related disease.
MGUS is characterized by a serum M-protein concentration <3.0g/dL, <5% plasma cells in the bone marrow, either a small amount of M-protein or none at all in the urine, absence of lytic bone lesion, anemia, hypercalcemia, and renal insufficiency,
and,
most importantly stability of the M-protein and failure of development of additional abnormalities.
Recently we experienced one case of MGUS associated with Behcet's disease confirmed by electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis and bone marrow biopsy.
A 37 year-old woman was admitted to our hospital in 1991 because of migratory joint pain for 2 years. On physical examination oral and genital ulcers were found, and erythematous palpable tender subcutaneous nodules were found also in the
forearms
and
legs. The level of IgG K fraction in the serum was 0.52g/dl and the bone marrow biopsy was normal. Initially she had been treated with ibuprofen, prednisolone, colchicine and azathioprine under the diagnosis of Behcet's disease with MSUS. The
concentration of serum M-protein after treatment of four years was 2.69g/dL and she complained only migratory pain in back and extremity, and easy fatigability. Lately she has been managed with the combination of colchicine and azathioprine.
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