The value of elevated gamma globulins in the diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy and multiple myeloma

A STRIKING increase in the detection of patients with monoclonal gammopathy and multiple myeloma was found when further investigation of hospital patients with elevated plasma globulin levels was performed. 5.9% of patients with plasma globulin concentrations of 4 g/dl or more were found to have monoclonal gammopathy compared to 1.8% of all patients. A 76% incidence of multiple myeloma was found in those patients whose monoclonal gammopathy was associated with a serum gamma globulin concentration of 4 g/dl or greater. We recommend that patients with elevated globulin levels should be further investigated to exclude the presence of a gammopathy or myeloma.