Comment on 'Development of monoclonal gammopathy in 12 patients receiving efalizumab treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis'.

摘要

We have read with great interest the observation of Prignano et al1 published in the October 2010 issue of the Journal about the development of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) in 12 patients of 202 receiving efalizumab treatment for psoriasis. In this report the authors comment that the incidence of MGUS in this study is 4% and is similar to that observed in the general population (MGUS prevalence in general population is 3-2% in individuals 50 years of age and older and 5.3% in those 70 years of age and older).2 Nevertheless, this datum must be clarified. First of all, the incidence of MGUS in this series of patients is 6% (12 of 202). The second point is to know the age of these 12 patients and the group of 202 patients (mean and median) in order to assess properly the incidence of MGUS in relationship with the age. For example, if the median age of these 12 patients and the group is about 50 years old, then the incidence of MGUS will be double that which was expected. We think that these data are important and necessaiy to assess adequately this interesting observation.