Screening for Fabry disease and Hereditary ATTR amyloidosis in idiopathic small-fiber and mixed neuropathy

Muscle Nerve. 2019 Mar;59(3):354-357. doi: 10.1002/mus.26348. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Abstract

Introduction: In this study we assessed the value of genetic screening for Fabry disease (FD) and hereditary ATTR amyloidosis in patients with idiopathic small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) or mixed neuropathy in a clinical setting.

Methods: This was a Nordic multicenter study with 9 participating centers. Patients with idiopathic SFN or mixed neuropathy were included. Genetic sequencing of the TTR and GLA genes was performed.

Results: There were 172 patients enrolled in the study. Genetic screening was performed in 155 patients. No pathogenic mutations in the TTR gene were found. A single patient had a possible pathogenic variant, R118C, in the GLA gene, but clinical investigation showed no firm signs of FD.

Discussion: Screening for hereditary ATTR amyloidosis and FD in patients with idiopathic SFN or mixed neuropathy without any additional disease-specific symptoms or clinical characteristics in a Nordic population appears to be of little value in a clinical setting. Muscle Nerve 59:354-357, 2019.

Keywords: Fabry disease; genetic screening study; hereditary ATTR amyloidosis; idiopathic polyneuropathy; small-fiber neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial / diagnosis*
  • Amyloidosis, Familial / diagnosis*
  • Amyloidosis, Familial / genetics*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Fabry Disease / diagnosis*
  • Fabry Disease / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genetic Testing
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Matrix Gla Protein
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Negative Results
  • Prealbumin / genetics
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Scandinavian and Nordic Countries
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Prealbumin
  • TTR protein, human