Dataset Information

Small fiber involvement is independent from clinical pain in late-onset Pompe disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pain occurs in the majority of patients with late onset Pompe disease (LOPD) and is associated with a reduced quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyse the pain characteristics and its relation to a small nerve fiber involvement in LOPD patients.

Methods

In 35 patients with LOPD under enzyme replacement therapy without clinical signs of polyneuropathy (19 females; 51 ± 15 years), pain characteristics as well as depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the PainDetect questionnaire (PDQ) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), respectively. Distal skin biopsies were analysed for intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) and compared to age- and gender-matched reference data. Skin biopsies from 20 healthy subjects served as controls to assure validity of the morphometric analysis.

Results

Pain was reported in 69% of the patients with an average intensity of 4.1 ± 1.1 on the numeric rating scale (NRS; anchors: 0-10). According to PDQ, neuropathic pain was likely in one patient, possible in 29%, and unlikely in 67%. Relevant depression and anxiety symptoms occurred in 31% and 23%, respectively, and correlated with pain intensity. Distal IENFD (3.98 ± 1.95 fibers/mm) was reduced in 57% of the patients. The degree of IENFD reduction did not correlate with the durations of symptoms to ERT or duration of ERT to biopsy.

Conclusions

Pain is a frequent symptom in treated LOPD on ERT, though a screening questionnaire seldom indicated neuropathic pain. The high frequency of small nerve fiber pathology in a treated LOPD cohort was found regardless of the presence of pain or comorbid risk factors for SFN and needs further exploration in terms of clinical context, exact mechanisms and when developing novel therapeutic options for LOPD.

SUBMITTER: Enax-Krumova EK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9044713 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:Pompe disease/glycogen storage disease type II, is a rare, lysosomal storage disorder associated with progressive proximal myopathy, causing a gradual loss of muscular function and respiratory insufficiency. Studies of patients with late-onset Pompe disease have used endpoints such as the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and forced vital capacity (FVC) to assess muscular and respiratory function during disease progression or treatment. However, the relevance of these markers to late-onset Pompe disease and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for these endpoints in late-onset Pompe disease have not yet been established. A literature search was carried out to identify studies reporting the MCID (absolute and relative) for the 6MWT and FVC in other diseases. The MCIDs determined in studies of chronic respiratory diseases were used to analyze the results of clinical studies of enzyme replacement therapy in late-onset Pompe disease. In 9 of the 10 late-onset Pompe disease studies reviewed, changes from baseline in the 6MWT were above or within the MCID established in respiratory diseases. Clinical improvement was perceived by patients in 6 of the 10 studies. In 6 of the 9 late-onset Pompe disease studies that reported FVC, the changes from baseline in percentage predicted FVC were above or within the MCID established in respiratory diseases and the difference was perceived as either an improvement or stabilization by patients. However, applying the 6MWT and FVC MCIDs from studies of chronic respiratory diseases to late-onset Pompe disease has several important limitations. Outcome measures in muscular dystrophies include composite measures of muscle function and gait, as well as Rasch-designed and validated tools to assess disease-related quality of life and activities of daily living. Given that the relevance to patients with late-onset Pompe disease of the 6MWT or FVC MCIDs established for chronic respiratory diseases is unclear, these measures should be evaluated specifically in late-onset Pompe disease and alternative outcome measures more specific to neuromuscular disease considered.

Project description:BackgroundPompe disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) which results in accumulation of glycogen, particularly in the skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles. The late-onset form with symptoms presenting in childhood through adulthood, is characterized by proximal muscle weakness, respiratory insufficiency, and unlike the infantile-onset form often with no cardiac involvement.MethodsWe report our experience with 18 adult patients (14 males/4 females) with Pompe disease, several of whom had unique findings and novel pathogenic variants. Patients ranged in ages from 22-74 years (mean 53.7 years) and were diagnosed at an age range of 11-65 years (mean 43.6 years), often after a history of progressive muscle disease of several years' duration. All 18 patients were treated with alglucosidase alfa (Lumizyme) and their response to treatment was monitored by measurements of their pulmonary function and muscle weakness, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and other functional studies.ResultsGenetic sequencing revealed that 16 out of 18 individuals had the common c.-32-13T>G splicing variant, and six patients, including two sibships had four novel pathogenic variants: c.1594G>A, c.2655_2656delCG, c.1951-1952delGGinsT, and c.1134C>G. A male with the c.1594G>A variant developed an intracerebral aneurysm at the age of 43 years treated with surgery. Two siblings with the c.2655_2656delCG developed very high antibody titers, one of whom developed a severe infusion reaction. Other clinical features included BiPAP requirement in twelve, tinnitus in seven, scoliosis in five, cardiomyopathy in three, one individual was diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm who underwent successful Penumbra coil placement, and another individual was diagnosed with both Graves' disease and testicular cancer.ConclusionsOur study illustrates significant variability in the range of clinical features, and the variable clinical response to enzyme replacement therapy. It also alerts us to the importance of careful monitoring and early management of complications. Possible genotype-phenotype associations with the novel mutations identified may emerge with larger studies.

Project description:BackgroundThe late-onset form of Pompe disease (LOPD) is characterized by muscle weakness, locomotor limitations and a risk of falls. The mechanisms responsible for altered locomotion in adults with LOPD are unknown. The identification of clinical biomarkers is essential for clinical follow-up and research.ObjectivesTo identify muscle determinants of impaired locomotor performance, gait stability and gait pattern, and biomechanical determinants of falls in adults with LOPD.MethodsIn this cross-sectional, case-control study, LOPD and control participants underwent 3D gait analysis, locomotor performance tests and muscle strength measurements (isokinetic dynamometer). We explored the muscular determinants of locomotor performance (gait speed, 6-minute walk test distance and timed up and go test), gait stability (spatiotemporal gait variables) and the gait pattern. We also explored biomechanical gait determinants of falls. After intergroup comparisons, determinants were sought to use forward stepwise multiple regression.ResultsEighteen participants with LOPD and 20 control participants were included. Locomotor performance, gait stability, and the gait pattern were significantly altered in LOPD compared to control participants. Hip abductor strength was the main common determinant of locomotor performance, gait stability and pelvic instability. Hip flexor strength was the main determinant of abnormal gait kinematics at the hip and knee. Percentage duration of single support phase during the gait cycle was the main determinant of falls.ConclusionsHip abductor strength and percentage duration of single support during gait were the major determinants of locomotor performance, gait stability, falls and the gait pattern in LOPD. These new clinical biomarkers should therefore be systematically assessed using instrumented tools to improve the follow-up of adults with LOPD. They should also be considered in future studies to accurately assess the effects of new therapies. Hip abductor strength and single support phase should also be priority targets for rehabilitation.