Serum proteins and paraproteins in women with silicone implants and connective tissue disease: a case–control study

Table 4 Characteristics of women with connective tissue disease and silicone breast implants who were previously diagnosed with paraproteinemia (Group 6)

Age (years)	Connective tissue disease		Silicone implant				Serum paraprotein (concentration and isotype)^a
	Type	Duration (years)	Type	Duration (years)	Exposure (years)	Rupture^b
43	UCTD/FMS	7.0	Silicone gel	14.2	17.1	Yes	6 g/l IgG(κ)
44	UCTD	12.8	Silicone gel	15.3	17.7	No	3 g/l IgG(λ), 3 g/l IgG(λ)
46	UCTD	7.1	Silicone gel	15.1	17.2	Yes	4 g/l IgG(κ), IgG(λ)
50	UCTD	4.0	Silicone gel/polyurethane	10.5	17.4	Yes	5 g/l IgM(κ)
50	UCTD	8.0	Silicone gel	n/a	19.2	Yes	13 g/l IgG(κ), 6 g/l IgG(κ)
52	UCTD	4.6	Silicone gel	14.1	20.5	Yes	4 g/l IgG(κ)
54	UCTD	3.0	Silicone gel/saline	11.4	14.2	Yes	1 g/l IgG(κ)
55	UCTD/FMS	5.0	Silicone gel	21.0	30.0	Yes	7 g/l IgG(λ)
56	UCTD	10.4	Silicone gel	15.1	23.3	No	9 g/l IgG(κ)
58	UCTD	9.3	Silicone gel	13.5	18.1	Yes	22 g/l IgG(λ)
All: 50.8 ± 5.2		7.1 ± 3.1		14.5 ± 3.0	19.5 ± 4.4

Subjects are listed in increasing order of age. All subjects were White. FMS, fibromyalgia syndrome; UCTD, undifferentiated connective tissue disease; n/a, not available. ^aWeak paraprotein bands (defined as <1 g/l) are shown without specifying their concentration; all others are shown by concentrations estimated from protein electrophoresis. ^bImplant rupture was suspected by signs and symptoms in eight cases and was documented at surgery in five cases.

ISSN: 1478-6362