Fabry disease

Last revised by Rohit Sharma on 20 Feb 2024

Fabry disease, also known as Anderson-Fabry disease, is a multisystem disorder resulting from an X-linked inborn error of metabolism and is a lysosomal storage disorder. The disease results from genetic mutations in the gene GLA that cause decreased or absent expression of hydrolase alpha-galactosidase A, ultimately resulting in abnormal accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) in various organ systems 8.

The clinical manifestations are variable and may depend on the specific gene defect and degree of residual enzyme activity. Both male and heterozygous females can exhibit severe phenotype.

Fabry disease was initially described in males with a form of severe disease, a phenotype known as a "classic" Fabry. However, it is now recognized that there are both early and late-onset forms of the disease in males, depending on the genetic aberration and degree of enzymatic compromise 8.

Similarly, females that have heterozygous genetic involvement have a spectrum of presentation ranging from asymptomatic to severe. This may be explained by a variable expression of the mutated X-linked gene 8.

Neurological involvement is common in patients with Fabry disease ranging from small vessel ischemia, thromboembolic ischemic strokes secondary to cardiac involvement, and basilar artery dolichoectasia 13. The peripheral nervous system and autonomic (sympathetic) nervous system can also be involved.

See neurological manifestations of Fabry disease.

Renal involvement begins with proteinuria progressing to end-stage renal failure usually in the 4th decade. On imaging, the kidneys have non-specific findings of medical renal disease including increased echogenicity, thinned renal cortex, and multiple renal cysts. The cysts are perhaps the most specific sign, typically small and of uniform size, located just beneath the capsule, aiding in differentiating these from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

Fabry disease is affiliated with corneal verticillata and lenticular abnormalities. Recent studies have proposed eye signs in Fabry disease in association with α-galactosidase A mutations could be an indicator of disease severity 7.

Cardiac involvement is frequent within the scope of the ‘classic phenotype’ and is common in isolation. It is the leading cause of death in Fabry disease.

See cardiac manifestations of Fabry disease.

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head has been described.

There can be chronic obstructive airways disease like symptoms with bronchial wall thickening.

Treatment options broadly include 9:

  • enzyme replacement therapy: e.g. agalsidase alfa, agalsidase beta, pegunigalsidase alfa

    • these are recombinant replace alpha-galactosidase

  • pharmacologic chaperone therapy: e.g. migalastat

    • these stabilize mutant forms of alpha-galactosidase

Additionally, complications should be managed, such as:

A retrospective Dutch study showed the median life expectancy of 57 years for males and 72 years for females 10.

First described in 1898 by Johannes Fabry (1860-1939), a German dermatologist 12.

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