Fabry disease: progression of nephropathy, and prevalence of cardiac and cerebrovascular events before enzyme replacement therapy

Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2009 Jul;24(7):2102-11. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfp031. Epub 2009 Feb 13.

Abstract

Background: In Fabry disease, progressive glycolipid accumulation leads to organ damage and early demise, but the incidence of renal, cardiac and cerebrovascular events has not been well characterized.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 279 affected males and 168 females from 27 sites (USA, Canada, Europe). The pre-defined study endpoints included progression of renal, cardiac and cerebrovascular involvement and/or death before the initiation of enzyme replacement therapy.

Results: The mean rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline for patients was -2.93 for males, and -1.02 ml/min/1.73 m(2)/year for females. Prevalence and severity of proteinuria, baseline eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and hypertension were associated with more rapid loss of eGFR. Advanced Fabry nephropathy was more prevalent and occurred earlier among males than females. Cardiac events (mainly arrhythmias), strokes and transient ischaemic attacks occurred in 49, 11, 6% of males, and in 35, 8, 4% of females, respectively. The mean age at death for 20 male patients was 49.9 years.

Conclusions: Baseline proteinuria, reduced baseline eGFR, hypertension and male gender were associated with more rapid progression of Fabry nephropathy. The eGFR progression rate may increase with advancing nephropathy, and may differ between subgroups of patients with Fabry disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / etiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Progression
  • Fabry Disease / complications*
  • Female
  • Heart Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Heart Diseases / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / etiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult