Approach to the patient with POEMS syndrome first manifested as Addison's disease / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

A middle aged male presented with darkened skin and edema of lower extremities was reported. He was diagnosed as primary adrenocortical insufficiency ( Addison' s disease ) accompanied with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, hypoparathyroidism, and subclinical hypothyroidism after endocrinological workup. In addition, the patient also had thickened skin, hirsutism, and polyserositis. The diagnosis of POEMS syndrome was confirmed by elevated M protein and VEGF level. The image of CT showed normal adrenals. Besides the autoimmune polyglandular syndrome ( APS), the possibility of POEMS syndrome in an adult patient with multiple endocrine dysfunction should be considered.