Thrombocytosis distinguishes POEMS syndrome from chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
INTRODUCTION
POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal plasma cell disorder, and skin changes) syndrome may be mistaken for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Differentiating the 2 entities is crucial, as there are major treatment implications.


METHODS
We compared platelet counts in 136 POEMS patients and 67 CIDP controls.


RESULTS
Of the patients with POEMS, 53.7% had thrombocytosis, compared with 1.5% of those with CIDP (P < 0.0001). The median platelet count in patients with POEMS was 467,000/μl compared with 275,000/μl in those with CIDP (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Thrombocytosis is a helpful indicator to prompt clinicians to consider the diagnosis of POEMS syndrome in patients who are thought to have CIDP, and is an important reminder of the increased risk of thrombotic events in POEMS syndrome.
['Naddaf|Elie|E|', 'Dispenzieri|Angela|A|', 'Mandrekar|Jay|J|', 'Mauermann|Michelle L|ML|']
D016022:Case-Control Studies D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D016878:POEMS Syndrome D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating D012189:Retrospective Studies D013922:Thrombocytosis
thrombocytosis POEMS syndrome CIDP monoclonal gammopathy polyradiculoneuropathy