Overview

Ophthalmic Findings During 10-year Enzyme Substitution of Danish Fabry Patients.

Status:
Completed

Trial end date:
2014-10-01

Target enrollment:
0

Participant gender:
All

Summary

Fabry disease is a recessively inherited disorder due to systemic storage of abnormal metabolites (ceramide trihexocide, in particular) caused by lack of the lysosomal enzyme α-galactosidase. Though X-linked, in patient series there are often equal numbers of males (hemizygotes ) and females (heterozygotes, probably caused by a mutation in one allele and an inactivation on the other allele in the X chromosomes), and many clinical features are shared. Abnormal storage in endothelial and smooth muscle cells explains morbidity, including a shortened life expectancy. This is due to age dependent ischaemic manifestations that affect heart, kidney and brain. Angiofibroma is an early cutaneous manifestation, and painful acro-paresthesias express juvenile neuropathy. Cornea verticillata is an almost obligate ophthalmic finding. The brown-yellow Bowman membrane related corneal deposits and teleangiectatic conjunctival vessels are early ophthalmic slit-lamp markers of the disorder; further there can be subtle lens opacities. Fundus vessel tortuosity is observed in many patients, in particular of the retinal venules, but best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) is usually normal. After the introduction of enzyme substitution therapy in 2001, ophthalmic examinations were scheduled as regular part of the general evaluation of the Fabry patients at Rigshospitalet, Denmark. A 10-year ophthalmic state of arts was part of oral presentations at a Copenhagen conference in December 2011. In contrast to the common occurrence of systemic vascular sequels, only one patient in the series had suffered severe visual loss; this was unilateral and occurred years before institution of the enzyme therapy. In 2013, however, another young male presented a similar retinal event. Sporadic cases of visual loss are reported in the literature, but in larger Fabry series ocular vascular catastrophes appear the exception to the rule. Following the introduction of enzyme substitution, we found it of interest to present our nationwide Danish experience. We focused on retinal vessel morphology and the relation to systemic morbidity.

Phase:

Phase 4

Accepts Healthy Volunteers?

Details

Lead Sponsor:

Rigshospitalet, Denmark

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

- All Danish patients with Fabry disease before starting therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

- Missing values for eye examination at baseline or follow-up