What clinical sign might suggest the presence of amyloidosis in a patient?

The presence of macroglossia, or an enlarged tongue, is a significant clinical sign that can suggest the diagnosis of amyloidosis. In systemic amyloidosis, abnormal protein deposits can accumulate in various tissues and organs, including the tongue, leading to its enlargement. This can result in a smooth, waxy appearance of the tongue, and patients may report difficulties with speech, chewing, or swallowing due to the size of the tongue.

While other symptoms like bone pain, weight loss, and night sweats can be associated with various conditions, they are less specific to amyloidosis. Bone pain sometimes occurs due to associated disorders like multiple myeloma, weight loss could stem from chronic illness or malignancy, and night sweats are common in many infectious and neoplastic diseases. Macroglossia is more distinctive and directly associated with the protein deposition characteristic of amyloidosis, making it a key clinical sign to consider in the diagnosis of this condition.