Abstract
Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by an ${\alpha}$-galactosidase A (GLA, MIM 300644) enzyme deficiency due to pathogenic variants in the ${\alpha}$-galactosidase A gene (GLA). The disease leads to accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and related glycophospholipids affecting nearly all major organ systems, with the primary sites damaged by Gb3 including renal glomeruli, myocardium, neurons of the dorsal ganglion and autonomic nervous system, and vascular endothelial and smooth muscle. Progressive deposition in these organ systems present with various clinical manifestations including acroparesthesia, renal failure and heart failure. Here, we report a Chinese male diagnosed with Fabry disease in his late $4^{th}$ decades showing improvement of acroparesthesia during enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). A 48-year-old Chinese man who presented with chronic recurrent severe burning pain in his fingers and toes since the age of 10, with worse involvement of the former visited to our clinic for further evaluation. His medical history included a transient ischemic attack aged 40 and diagnosed with stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease aged 47. In the family history, the patient's brother was found to be have Fabry disease 1 month before his visit. Except for his brother, all other members of the family are healthy. Based on his medical history and family history, he was strongly suspicious for Fabry disease. He was found to have a galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose level 4.96 (Reference range, 42.5-67.9) suggestive of Fabry disease. The followed sequencing of GLA coding region in our patient revealed hemizyosity for the mutation c.988C>T (Q330X) in Exon 7. Since ERT start, he showed significant improvement in his symptoms of burning sensation of fingers and toes. On the contrary, due to deteriorating kidney function even with ERT, he is considered for kidney transplantation. Despite of diagnostic delay until late 4th decades, ERT showed a potential improvement of acroparesthesia in our patient. However, late start of ERT can lead to poor outcome in multiorgan function. Therefore, early diagnosis with high index of suspicion followed by continuous ERT with regular monitoring have an impact on quality of life in Fabry disease.
Fabry 병은 성염색체 연관 유전성 리소좀 대사 질환으로 ${\alpha}$-galactosidase A 를 코딩하는 GLA 유전자의 변이로 인한 ${\alpha}$-galactosidase A 효소의 결핍에 의해 발생한다. 이 질환은 globotriaosylceramide (GL-3) 및 관련된 글리코스핑고리피드(glycophospholipids)가 신장 사구체, 심근, 후근 신경절 및 자율 신경계, 혈관 내피 세포 및 평활근 등에 축적되어 사지 말단 동통, 신부전, 심부전 등의 다양한 임상양상을 보이게 된다. 대증적 요법으로만 치료하던 Fabry 병은 효소대체요법의 발전으로 신부전을 포함하여, 심각한 합병증의 예방 및 호전과 함께 질환의 예후를 향상시키고 있다. 또한 사지 말단 동통은 Fabry 병 환자들의 삶의 질을 특히 떨어뜨리며, 적절한 효소대체요법에 효과가 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 저자들은 40대 후반에 Fabry 병을 진단받고 효소대체요법을 시작하여 사지 말단 동통이 호전된 중국인 남자 환자에 대해 보고하는 바이다.
