Table 1 Comparison of patients with and without cerebral artery stenosis/occlusion in POEMS syndrome

Demographics

Age at MRA/CTA, y, (mean ± SD) ^a

55.5 ± 13.1

53.2 ± 14.9

57.4 ± 11.1

0.210

Sex (male/female) ^b

36/25

16/13

20/12

0.561

Onset to diagnosis, y, median (range) ^c

1.5 (0.2–10.3)

1.4 (0.2–10.3)

1.6 (0.2–9.6)

0.806

Onset to MRA/CTA, y, median (range) ^c

2.7 (0.2–13.3)

2.4 (0.2–12.4)

2.9 (0.2–13.3)

0.948

Relevant comorbidities, n (%)

Cerebral infarction ^d

8 (13.1)

8 (27.6)

0 (0)

0.001

Castleman disease ^d

8 (13.1)

3 (10.3)

5 (15.6)

0.412

Pulmonary hypertension ^d

4 (6.6)

3 (10.3)

1 (3.1)

0.270

Relevant POEMS features, n (%)

Polyneuropathy

61 (100)

29 (100)

32 (100)

NA

Organomegaly ^d

55 (90.2)

26 (90.0)

29 (90.6)

0.616

Endocrinopathy ^b

37 (60.7)

19 (65.5)

18 (56.3)

0.459

Extravascular volume overload ^d

59 (96.7)

29 (100)

30 (93.8)

0.271

Monoclonal plasma cell proliferative disorder ^d

60 (98.4)

28 (96.6)

32 (100)

0.475

Skin changes ^d

59 (96.7)

28 (96.6)

31 (96.9)

0.729

Sclerotic bone lesions ^d

52 (85.2)

23 (79.3)

29 (90.6)

0.189

Laboratory studies

Maximum VEGF value, ng/ml, median (range) ^c

4.910 (1.03–31.70)

7.250 (1.33–31.70)

4.695 (1.03–11.70)

0.028

Risk factors for atherosclerosis, n (%)

Hypertension ^b

23 (37.7)

10 (34.5)

13 (40.6)

0.621

Dyslipidemia ^b

27 (44.3)

14 (48.3)

13 (40.6)

0.548

Diabetes ^d

7 (11.5)

4 (13.8)

3 (9.4)

0.443

Smoking ^d

8 (13.1)

4 (13.8)

4 (12.5)

0.588

Previous treatment, n (%)

None ^b

31 (50.8)

12 (41.4)

19 (59.4)

0.160

Corticosteroids ^b

31 (50.8)

17 (58.6)

14 (43.8)

0.246

Melphalan ^d

6 (9.8)

3 (10.3)

3 (9.4)

0.616

Cyclophosphamide ^d

2 (3.3)

2 (6.9)

0 (0)

0.222

Thalidomide ^b

13 (21.3)

9 (31.0)

4 (12.5)

0.078

ASCT ^d

9 (14.8)

6 (20.7)

3 (9.4)

0.189

Renalidomide ^d

1 (1.6)

1 (3.4)

0 (0)

0.475

Bortezomib ^d

1 (1.6)

1 (3.4)

0 (0)

0.475

Bevacizumab ^d

2 (3.3)

2 (6.9)

0 (0)

0.222

Radiation ^d

3 (4.9)

1 (3.4)

2 (6.3)

0.537