Clinical and laboratory test in patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP): differences between symptomatic patients and asymptomatic carriers

Introducción: La polineuropatía amiloidótica familiar asociada a transtirretina (PAF-TTR) es una enfermedad causada por el depósito el depósito de amiloide en los tejidos, cuya proteína precursora es la transtirretina. La afectación clínica y las alteraciones analíticas dependen del estadio y del momento del diagnóstico de la enfermedad. Métodos: Estudio transversal, observacional donde se recogieron datos clínicos y analíticos de 10 pacientes sintomáticos y 10 portadores asintomáticos. Resultados: De un total de 20 casos: 14 mujeres (70%) con una mediana de edad de 47.5 años. Todos los portadores asintomáticos se diagnosticaron por cribado familiar y el 90% de los pacientes sintomáticos tenían déficit sensitivo al diagnóstico con electromiograma (EMG) patológico (p=0,016). Los pacientes sintomáticos tenían mayor variabilidad de presión arterial, sistólica (p=0,016), diastólica (p=0,045) y de frecuencia cardíaca (p<0,005). En las alteraciones analíticas destacan un descenso de T4 libre (p<0,005) y la elevación de cistatina C (p=0,046) en los pacientes sintomáticos. En cuanto a la comparación por edades en 9 (45%) casos se realizó un diagnóstico tardío (≥50 años) y en 11 (55%) diagnóstico precoz (<50 años), la edad media era de 38,55 vs 61,56 años (p<0,005). Los diagnosticados de forma tardía tenían proteínas totales bajas (p=0,008), elevación de BUN sérica (p<0,005) y cistatina C (p=0,04). Conclusiones: Los pacientes sintomáticos fueron diagnosticados por la presencia de síntomas neurológicos y disfunción autonómica. En cuanto a la comparación entre la edad al diagnóstico, los casos con diagnóstico precoz presentaban mayor implicación familiar, menor número de órganos afectados, escasa sintomatología neurológica y manifestaciones más leves.Background: Transthyretin-associated Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (TTR-PAF) is a disease caused by the deposit of abnormal transthyretin on the tissues, mainly on the nerves. The clinical affectation and laboratory test alterations depend on the clinical stage and the moment of disease diagnosis. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was performed. Medical records and laboratory test information of 20 patients: 10 symptomatic patients and 10 asymptomatic carriers. Results: Out of a total of 20 patients: 14 women (70 %) with a median age of 47.5 years. All of asymptomatic carriers were diagnosed for family history and 90 % of the symptomatic patients had neurologic impairment demonstrated with pathological electroneurography (NC) (p=0.016). The symptomatic patients had higher variability of blood pressure both systolic (p=0.016) and diastolic (p=0.045) and of heart rate (p<0.005). Regarding laboratory test alterations this patients presented a decrease of free T4 (p<0.005) and an increase of cystatine C (p=0.046). As for the comparison by age-at-onset in 9 (45 %) cases the diagnosis was late-onset (≥50 years) and 11 (55 %) early-onset (<50 years). Mean age was 38.55 vs 61.56 years (p<0.005). The late-onset group had a decrease of total proteins (p=0.008) and an increase of BUN (p<0.005) and cystatine C (p=0.04). Conclusions: Symptomatic patients were diagnosed by the presence of neurologic symptoms and vegetative symptoms. As to the comparison of age-at-onset, the early-onset has greater family history, minor number of affected organs, low neurological involvement and mild symptoms

The Impact Of Rituximab Infusion Protocol On The Long-term Outcome In Anti-musk Myasthenia Gravis

Objective: To evaluate whether the clinical benefit and relapse rates in anti-muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) myasthenia gravis (MG) differ depending on the protocol of rituximab followed. Methods: This retrospective multicentre study in patients with MuSK MG compared three rituximab protocols in terms of clinical status, relapse, changes in treatment, and adverse side effects. The primary effectiveness endpoint was clinical relapse requiring a further infusion of rituximab. Survival curves were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods and survival analyses were undertaken using Cox proportional-hazards models. Results: Twenty-five patients were included: 11 treated with protocol 4 + 2 (375 mg/m(2)/4 weeks, then monthly for 2 months), five treated with protocol 1 + 1 (two 1 g doses 2 weeks apart), and nine treated with protocol 4 (375 mg/m(2)/4 weeks). Mean follow-up was 5.0 years (SD 3.3). Relapse occurred in 18.2%, 80%, and 33.3%, and mean time to relapse was 3.5 (SD 1.5), 1.1 (SD 0.4), and 2.5 (SD 1.4) years, respectively. Based on Kaplan-Meier estimates, patients treated with protocol 4 + 2 had fewer and later relapses than patients treated with the other two protocols (log-rank test P = 0.0001). Patients treated with protocol 1 + 1 had a higher risk of relapse than patients treated with protocol 4 + 2 (HR 112.8, 95% CI, 5.7-2250.4, P = 0.002). Patients treated with protocol 4 showed a trend to a higher risk of relapse than those treated with protocol 4 + 2 (HR 9.2, 95% CI 0.9-91.8, P = 0.059). InterpretationThis study provides class IV evidence that the 4 + 2 rituximab protocol has a lower clinical relapse rate and produces a more durable response than the 1 + 1 and 4 protocols in patients with MuSK MG

PDGF-BB serum levels are decreased in adult onset Pompe patients

Adult onset Pompe disease is a genetic disorder characterized by slowly progressive skeletal and respiratory muscle weakness. Symptomatic patients are treated with enzymatic replacement therapy with human recombinant alfa glucosidase. Motor functional tests and spirometry are commonly used to follow patients up. However, a serological biomarker that correlates with the progression of the disease could improve follow-up. We studied serum concentrations of TGFβ, PDGF-BB, PDGF-AA and CTGF growth factors in 37 adult onset Pompe patients and 45 controls. Moreover, all patients performed several muscle function tests, conventional spirometry, and quantitative muscle MRI using 3-point Dixon. We observed a statistically significant change in the serum concentration of each growth factor in patients compared to controls. However, only PDGF-BB levels were able to differentiate between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, suggesting its potential role in the follow-up of asymptomatic patients. Moreover, our results point to a dysregulation of muscle regeneration as an additional pathomechanism of Pompe disease

Clinical and Laboratory Features in Anti-NF155 Autoimmune Nodopathy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical and laboratory features of antineurofascin-155 (NF155)-positive autoimmune nodopathy (AN). METHODS: Patients with anti-NF155 antibodies detected on routine immunologic testing were included. Clinical characteristics, treatment response, and functional scales (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] and Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale [I-RODS]) were retrospectively collected at baseline and at the follow-up. Autoantibody and neurofilament light (NfL) chain levels were analyzed at baseline and at the follow-up. RESULTS: Forty NF155+ patients with AN were included. Mean age at onset was 42.4 years. Patients presented with a progressive (75%), sensory motor (87.5%), and symmetric distal-predominant weakness in upper (97.2%) and lower extremities (94.5%), with tremor and ataxia (75%). Patients received a median of 3 (2-4) different treatments in 46 months of median follow-up. Response to IV immunoglobulin (86.8%) or steroids (72.2%) was poor in most patients, whereas 77.3% responded to rituximab. HLA-DRB1*15 was detected in 91.3% of patients. IgG4 anti-NF155 antibodies were predominant in all patients; anti-NF155 titers correlated with mRS within the same patient (r = 0.41, p = 0.004). Serum NfL (sNfL) levels were higher in anti-NF155+ AN than in healthy controls (36.47 vs 7.56 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and correlated with anti-NF155 titers (r = 0.43, p = 0.001), with I-RODS at baseline (r = -0.88, p < 0.001) and with maximum I-RODS achieved (r = -0.58, p = 0.01). Anti-NF155 titers and sNfL levels decreased in all rituximab-treated patients. DISCUSSION: Anti-NF155 AN presents a distinct clinical profile and good response to rituximab. Autoantibody titers and sNfL are useful to monitor disease status in these patients. The use of untagged-NF155 plasmids minimizes the detection of false anti-NF155+ cases. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that anti-NF155 antibodies associate with a specific phenotype and response to rituximab

Association of Candidate Gene Polymorphisms With Chronic Kidney Disease: Results of a Case-Control Analysis in the Nefrona Cohort

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major risk factor for end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular disease and premature death. Despite classical clinical risk factors for CKD and some genetic risk factors have been identified, the residual risk observed in prediction models is still high. Therefore, new risk factors need to be identified in order to better predict the risk of CKD in the population. Here, we analyzed the genetic association of 79 SNPs of proteins associated with mineral metabolism disturbances with CKD in a cohort that includes 2, 445 CKD cases and 559 controls. Genotyping was performed with matrix assisted laser desorption ionizationtime of flight mass spectrometry. We used logistic regression models considering different genetic inheritance models to assess the association of the SNPs with the prevalence of CKD, adjusting for known risk factors. Eight SNPs (rs1126616, rs35068180, rs2238135, rs1800247, rs385564, rs4236, rs2248359, and rs1564858) were associated with CKD even after adjusting by sex, age and race. A model containing five of these SNPs (rs1126616, rs35068180, rs1800247, rs4236, and rs2248359), diabetes and hypertension showed better performance than models considering only clinical risk factors, significantly increasing the area under the curve of the model without polymorphisms. Furthermore, one of the SNPs (the rs2248359) showed an interaction with hypertension, being the risk genotype affecting only hypertensive patients. We conclude that 5 SNPs related to proteins implicated in mineral metabolism disturbances (Osteopontin, osteocalcin, matrix gla protein, matrix metalloprotease 3 and 24 hydroxylase) are associated to an increased risk of suffering CKD

Variabilidad clínica y analítica en casos con polineuropatía amioloidótica familiar (PAF-TTR): comparación entre portadores sanos y pacientes sintomáticos

Background: Transthyretin-associated Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (TTR-PAF) is a disease caused by the deposit of abnormal transthyretin on the tissues, mainly on the nerves. The clinical affectation and laboratory test alterations depend on the clinical stage and the moment of disease diagnosis. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was performed. Medical records and laboratory test information of 20 patients: 10 symptomatic patients and 10 asymptomatic carriers. Results: Out of a total of 20 patients: 14 women (70 %) with a median age of 47.5 years. All of asymptomatic carriers were diagnosed for family history and 90 % of the symptomatic patients had neurologic impairment demonstrated with pathological electroneurography (NC) (p=0.016). The symptomatic patients had higher variability of blood pressure both systolic (p=0.016) and diastolic (p=0.045) and of heart rate (p<0.005). Regarding laboratory test alterations this patients presented a decrease of free T4 (p<0.005) and an increase of cystatine C (p=0.046). As for the comparison by age-at-onset in 9 (45 %) cases the diagnosis was late-onset (≥50 years) and 11 (55 %) early-onset (<50 years). Mean age was 38.55 vs 61.56 years (p<0.005). The late-onset group had a decrease of total proteins (p=0.008) and an increase of BUN (p<0.005) and cystatine C (p=0.04). Conclusions: Symptomatic patients were diagnosed by the presence of neurologic symptoms and vegetative symptoms. As to the comparison of age-at-onset, the early-onset has greater family history, minor number of affected organs, low neurological involvement and mild symptoms.Introducción: La polineuropatía amiloidótica familiar asociada a transtirretina (PAF-TTR) es una enfermedad causada por el depósito el depósito de amiloide en los tejidos, cuya proteína precursora es la transtirretina. La afectación clínica y las alteraciones analíticas dependen del estadio y del momento del diagnóstico de la enfermedad. Métodos: Estudio transversal, observacional donde se recogieron datos clínicos y analíticos de 10 pacientes sintomáticos y 10 portadores asintomáticos. Resultados: De un total de 20 casos: 14 mujeres (70%) con una mediana de edad de 47.5 años. Todos los portadores asintomáticos se diagnosticaron por cribado familiar y el 90% de los pacientes sintomáticos tenían déficit sensitivo al diagnóstico con electromiograma (EMG) patológico (p=0,016). Los pacientes sintomáticos tenían mayor variabilidad de presión arterial, sistólica (p=0,016), diastólica (p=0,045) y de frecuencia cardíaca (p<0,005). En las alteraciones analíticas destacan un descenso de T4 libre (p<0,005) y la elevación de cistatina C (p=0,046) en los pacientes sintomáticos. En cuanto a la comparación por edades en 9 (45%) casos se realizó un diagnóstico tardío (≥50 años) y en 11 (55%) diagnóstico precoz (<50 años), la edad media era de 38,55 vs 61,56 años (p<0,005). Los diagnosticados de forma tardía tenían proteínas totales bajas (p=0,008), elevación de BUN sérica (p<0,005) y cistatina C (p=0,04). Conclusiones: Los pacientes sintomáticos fueron diagnosticados por la presencia de síntomas neurológicos y disfunción autonómica. En cuanto a la comparación entre la edad al diagnóstico, los casos con diagnóstico precoz presentaban mayor implicación familiar, menor número de órganos afectados, escasa sintomatología neurológica y manifestaciones más leves

Val50Met hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: not just a medical problem, but a psychosocial burden

[eng] Background:Hereditary transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis (ATTRv) is a heterogeneous disease with a clinical presenta‑tion that varies according to geographical area and TTR mutation. The symptoms of Val50Met‑ATTRv are mainly neu‑ropathic and progress to complete disability and death in most untreated patients within 10 to 15 years of diagnosis. The neurological effects may also be accompanied by gastrointestinal impairment, cardiomyopathy, nephropathy and/or ocular deposition. The disease is thus associated with a high degree of patient disability. Accordingly, we aimed to describe the psychosocial burden associated with ATTRv in a group of patients, asymptomatic Val50Met carriers, relatives and caregivers in the endemic focus of the disease in Majorca via a survey addressing various aspects related to psychosocial burden. We performed a an observational, descriptive, cross‑sectional and multicentre study in order to analyze the prevalence of self‑reported impact of ATTRv disease upon their daily life. In addition to the self‑knowledge, fear and burden related to the disease. The survey was disseminated during the regular follow up at the outpatient clinic of the Hospital Universitario Son Llàtzer and during the meetings organized by the Andrade's Disease patients' advocacy group from the Balearic Islands. These meetings were attended also by subjects followed up by the Hospital Universitario Son Espases and their caregivers and relatives. Survey was self‑administrated. No intervention was done by the investigators. 85 subjects completed the survey: 61 carrying the TTR‑V50M variant and 24 caregivers or relatives. Results:Our study revealed that, although most of the population studied had had prior contact with ATTRv through affected relatives, there was still a lack of information regarding disease diagnosis. Fear of the genetic test result and psychological issues were common in our population. Moreover, the disease had a stronger impact on the daily life of our patients than that of our asymptomatic carriers. Autonomic symptoms were the main source of burden for relatives and caregivers. Conclusion:Our survey results show high psychosocial burden associated with Val50Met‑ATTRv in our area.Keywords:Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis, Burden of disease, Rare disease, Well‑being, Caregiver

Amyoidotic breast nodule in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR): a case report

[eng] Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) is an autosomal dominant systemic amyloidosis due to point mutations in the TTR gene (chr18q12.1), resulting in misfolded proteins. Although more than 100 amyloidogenic TTR variants have been discovered [1] Val30Met (also known as NM_000371.3:c.148G > A p.(Val50Met)) is the most common. hATTR disease is characterized by extracellular deposition of fibrillar proteins that lead to tissue damage and functional compromise. Deposition of amyloid fibrils has been found in various organs and tissues of the body like in peripheral and autonomic nerves, heart, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, kidneys, eyes, and connective tissue of the transversal carpal ligament [2-4]. The clinical manifestations of amyloidosis are determined by the location of deposition

The Impact Of Rituximab Infusion Protocol On The Long-term Outcome In Anti-musk Myasthenia Gravis

Objective: To evaluate whether the clinical benefit and relapse rates in anti-muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) myasthenia gravis (MG) differ depending on the protocol of rituximab followed. Methods: This retrospective multicentre study in patients with MuSK MG compared three rituximab protocols in terms of clinical status, relapse, changes in treatment, and adverse side effects. The primary effectiveness endpoint was clinical relapse requiring a further infusion of rituximab. Survival curves were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods and survival analyses were undertaken using Cox proportional-hazards models. Results: Twenty-five patients were included: 11 treated with protocol 4 + 2 (375 mg/m(2)/4 weeks, then monthly for 2 months), five treated with protocol 1 + 1 (two 1 g doses 2 weeks apart), and nine treated with protocol 4 (375 mg/m(2)/4 weeks). Mean follow-up was 5.0 years (SD 3.3). Relapse occurred in 18.2%, 80%, and 33.3%, and mean time to relapse was 3.5 (SD 1.5), 1.1 (SD 0.4), and 2.5 (SD 1.4) years, respectively. Based on Kaplan-Meier estimates, patients treated with protocol 4 + 2 had fewer and later relapses than patients treated with the other two protocols (log-rank test P = 0.0001). Patients treated with protocol 1 + 1 had a higher risk of relapse than patients treated with protocol 4 + 2 (HR 112.8, 95% CI, 5.7-2250.4, P = 0.002). Patients treated with protocol 4 showed a trend to a higher risk of relapse than those treated with protocol 4 + 2 (HR 9.2, 95% CI 0.9-91.8, P = 0.059). InterpretationThis study provides class IV evidence that the 4 + 2 rituximab protocol has a lower clinical relapse rate and produces a more durable response than the 1 + 1 and 4 protocols in patients with MuSK MG

The impact of rituximab infusion protocol on the long-term outcome in anti-MuSK myasthenia gravis

To evaluate whether the clinical benefit and relapse rates in anti-muscle-specific kinase (Mu) myasthenia gravis () differ depending on the protocol of rituximab followed. This retrospective multicentre study in patients with Mu compared three rituximab protocols in terms of clinical status, relapse, changes in treatment, and adverse side effects. The primary effectiveness endpoint was clinical relapse requiring a further infusion of rituximab. Survival curves were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods and survival analyses were undertaken using Cox proportional-hazards models. Twenty-five patients were included: 11 treated with protocol 4 + 2 (375 mg/m 2 /4 weeks, then monthly for 2 months), five treated with protocol 1 + 1 (two 1 g doses 2 weeks apart), and nine treated with protocol 4 (375 mg/m 2 /4 weeks). Mean follow-up was 5.0 years ( 3.3). Relapse occurred in 18.2%, 80%, and 33.3%, and mean time to relapse was 3.5 ( 1.5), 1.1 ( 0.4), and 2.5 ( 1.4) years, respectively. Based on Kaplan-Meier estimates, patients treated with protocol 4 + 2 had fewer and later relapses than patients treated with the other two protocols (log-rank test P = 0.0001). Patients treated with protocol 1 + 1 had a higher risk of relapse than patients treated with protocol 4 + 2 ( 112.8, 95% , 5.7-2250.4, P = 0.002). Patients treated with protocol 4 showed a trend to a higher risk of relapse than those treated with protocol 4 + 2 ( 9.2, 95% 0.9-91.8, P = 0.059). This study provides class evidence that the 4 + 2 rituximab protocol has a lower clinical relapse rate and produces a more durable response than the 1 + 1 and 4 protocols in patients with Mu