[Wilson's disease. Clinical presentation, treatment and evolution in 21 cases]

Inborn Errors of Metabolism Screening in Neonates: Current Perspective with Diagnosis and Therapy

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are rare hereditary or acquired disorders resulting from an enzymatic deformity in biochemical and metabolic pathways influencing proteins, fats, carbohydrate metabolism, or hampered some organelle function. Even though individual IEMs are uncommon, together, they represent a diverse class of genetic diseases, with new issues and disease mechanisms being portrayed consistently. IEM includes the extraordinary multifaceted nature of the fundamental pathophysiology, biochemical diagnosis, molecular level investigation, and complex therapeutic choices. However, due to the molecular, biochemical, and clinical heterogeneity of IEM, screening alone will not detect and diagnose all illnesses included in newborn screening programs. Early diagnosis prevents the emergence of severe clinical symptoms in the majority of IEM cases, lowering morbidity and death. The appearance of IEM disease can vary from neonates to adult people, with the more serious conditions showing up in juvenile stages along with significant morbidity as well as mortality. Advances in understanding the physiological, biochemical, and molecular etiologies of numerous IEMs by means of modalities, for instance, the latest molecular-genetic technologies, genome engineering knowledge, entire exome sequencing, and metabolomics, have prompted remarkable advancement in detection and treatment in modern times. In this review, we analyze the biochemical basis of IEMs, clinical manifestations, the present status of screening, ongoing advances, and efficiency of diagnosis in treatment for IEMs, along with prospects for further exploration as well as innovation.

Psychiatric aspects of Wilson disease: a review

OBJECTIVE

To review the current evidence about psychiatric symptoms in Wilson's disease (WD).

METHOD

We searched Ovid, PsychInfo, CINHAL and PubMed databases from May 1946 to May 2012 using the key words Wilson('s) disease in combination with psychiatry, psychiatric, psychosis, schizophrenia, depression, mania, bipolar, mood, anxiety, personality and behavior.

RESULTS

Psychiatric symptoms occur before, concurrent with or after the diagnosis and treatment for WD. Thirty to forty percent of patients have psychiatric manifestations at the time of diagnosis, and 20% had seen a psychiatrist prior to their WD diagnosis. When psychiatric symptoms preceded neurological or hepatic involvement, the average time between the psychiatric symptoms and the diagnosis of WD was 864.3 days. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in WD patients varies wildly (major depressive disorder, 4-47%; psychosis, 1.4-11.3%). Certain gene mutations of ATP7B may correlate with specific personality traits.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychiatric manifestations represent a significant part of the clinical presentation of WD and can present at any point in the course of the illness. Psychiatric manifestations occurring without overt hepatic or neurologic involvement may lead to misdiagnosis. A better understanding of the psychiatric presentations in WD may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of psychiatric disorders.

Kayser-Fleischer ring in Wilson's disease: a cohort study

AIMS

To evaluate Wilson's disease (WD) features in Sardinian patients with Kayser-Fleischer (KF) ring and to evaluate correlations between modifications in KF and anti-copper therapy and systemic WD evolution.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-seven WD patients (35 m/32 f; mean age 41 years) were retrospectively studied. At diagnosis and during follow up comprehensive ophthalmologic and neurologic examinations, brain RMN and ECD SPECT, detailed objective laboratory studies and hepatic histological examination were performed on all patients for analysis. All patients were given anti-copper therapy with d-Penicillamine in mono-therapy or in combination with Zinc Salts.

RESULTS

At diagnosis, KF was observed in 27% of patients with equal distribution in all age groups. Significant correlations between KF at diagnosis, neuro-psychiatric manifestations and pathologic features in brain RMN and in brain ECD SPECT were found at diagnosis. During follow up, a decrease in, or regression of KF was seen in 14% of patients. Anti-copper therapy leads to KF regression and prevents the appearance of KF. No significant correlations were observed between KF regression and clinical neurological or neuro-imaging improvement nor between KF modifications and clinical hepatic improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights the peculiar features of Sardinian WD patients: low representation of KF, its equal distribution in all age groups, significant correlation between KF at diagnosis and clinical neurological manifestations, pathologic brain RMN and brain ECD-SPECT are highlighted by our study. Anti-copper therapy induces KF regression and prevents its onset. Therefore, KF ring does appear to be a predictive factor in the neurological and hepatic evolution of WD.

Wilson's disease in southern Brazil: a 40-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Long-term data on the clinical follow-up and the treatment effectiveness of Wilson's disease are limited because of the low disease frequency. This study evaluated a retrospective cohort of Wilson's disease patients from southern Brazil during a 40-year follow-up period.

METHODS

Thirty-six Wilson's disease patients, diagnosed from 1971 to 2010, were retrospectively evaluated according to their clinical presentation, epidemiological and social features, response to therapy and outcome.

RESULTS

Examining the patients' continental origins showed that 74.5% had a European ancestor. The mean age at the initial symptom presentation was 23.3 ± 9.3 years, with a delay of 27.5 ± 41.9 months until definitive diagnosis. At presentation, hepatic symptoms were predominant (38.9%), followed by mixed symptoms (hepatic and neuropsychiatric) (30.6%) and neuropsychiatric symptoms (25%). Kayser-Fleischer rings were identified in 55.6% of patients, with a higher frequency among those patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms (77.8%). Eighteen patients developed neuropsychiatric features, most commonly cerebellar syndrome. Neuroradiological imaging abnormalities were observed in 72.2% of these patients. Chronic liver disease was detected in 68% of the patients with hepatic symptoms. 94.2% of all the patients were treated with D-penicillamine for a mean time of 129.9 ± 108.3 months. Other treatments included zinc salts, combined therapy and liver transplantation. After initiating therapy, 78.8% of the patients had a stable or improved outcome, and the overall survival rate was 90.1%.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first retrospective description of a population of Wilson's disease patients of mainly European continental origin who live in southern Brazil. Wilson's disease is treatable if correctly diagnosed, and an adequate quality of life can be achieved, resulting in a long overall survival.

Disartria na doença de Wilson: análise de dois casos em fases distintas

TEMA: disartria na Doença de Wilson. PROCEDIMENTOS: estudo de caso de dois pacientes com o diagnóstico da doença, ambos adultos jovens, do sexo feminino e com seis anos de escolaridade. Quatro fonoaudiólogas realizaram a avaliação perceptivo-auditiva de modo independente, na qual foram investigados os seguintes parâmetros: tipo de voz, loudness, pitch, ataque vocal, instabilidade fonatória e ressonância. O grau de alteração de cada parâmetro foi mensurado através de uma escala analógico-visual. Além disso, foram obtidas medidas de inteligibilidade por transcrição ortográfica. A análise acústica foi realizada por meio do programa Praat, com a obtenção de medidas de frequência fundamental, de perturbação e ruído e medidas temporais. RESULTADOS: a fala de ambos os pacientes foi caracterizada por: redução do tempo máximo de fonação, voz soprosa e tensa, ataques vocais aspirados, instabilidade vocal, aumento de shimmer e proporção ruído-harmônico, hipernasalidade, redução da diadococinesia oral, da inteligibilidade e da velocidade da fala. Os resultados obtidos sugeriram que o paciente que cursa com a Doença de Wilson há mais tempo, apresentou prejuízo mais acentuado na maioria dos parâmetros perceptuais e acústicos analisados. CONCLUSÃO: foram identificadas manifestações comuns entre os casos, as quais podem constituir-se em traços característicos da fala de pacientes disártricos com Doença de Wilson. Todavia, diferenças também foram evidenciadas, as quais podem estar relacionadas ao tempo de evolução da doença.

Systematic review: clinical efficacy of chelator agents and zinc in the initial treatment of Wilson disease

BACKGROUND

No consensus is available on the optimal initial treatment in Wilson disease.

AIM

To assess systematically the available literature of treatment in newly presenting patients with a presymptomatic, hepatic or neurological presentation of Wilson disease.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE databases was performed. Original studies on clinical efficacy of D-penicillamine, trientine, tetrathiomolybdate or zinc monotherapy as initial treatment in Wilson disease were included. A descriptive analysis of the relevant published data was performed.

RESULTS

One randomized trial and 12 observational studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies were quite heterogeneous and generally of low validity. Nevertheless, according to currently available data, patients with hepatic presentation of Wilson disease are probably most effectively treated by D-penicillamine. Zinc seems to be preferred above d-penicillamine for treatment of presymptomatic and neurological patients, as in these subgroups, the tolerance profile is in favour of zinc, while no obvious differences in clinical efficacy could be observed.

CONCLUSIONS

There is lack of high-quality evidence to estimate the relative treatment effects of the available drugs in Wilson disease. Therefore, multicentre prospective randomized controlled comparative trials are necessary.

[Acute recurrent hemolytic anemia as the first manifestation of Wilson's disease: Report of a case]

INTRODUCTION

The liver and central nervous system are the usual targets of Wilson's disease, an inherited disorder of copper metabolism. Severe hemolytic anemia is an unusual complication of Wilson's disease.

EXEGESIS

We report a case of Wilson's disease revealed by acute intravascular repeating hemolytic anemia associated with liver failure. The initially negative etiologic investigation was directed by occurred of liver failure. The genetic study allowed to discover an other similar case. The evolution was favourable under treatment with zinc sulfate and penicillamine.

DISCUSSION

Diagnosis of Wilson's disease must be considered in case of acute hemolytic anemia associated with liver failure in young adults.