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Pischik E, Lissing M, Pallet N, Kauppinen R. Long-term complications in acute porphyria. Liver Int 2024. [PMID: 38819621 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
New treatment options and low attack-related mortality have changed the life expectancy of patients with acute porphyria (AP) to that of the general population. Clinicians should therefore be aware of the long-term complications of AP, which typically include chronic neuropathy and encephalopathy, high blood pressure and porphyria-associated kidney disease. Patients have an increased risk of primary liver cancer (PLC), but no increased risk of non-hepatic cancers. Chronic pain occurs in patients with recurrent attacks, combined with chronic fatigue and nausea, leading to poor quality of life. Patients with sporadic attacks may also have chronic symptoms, which should be distinguished from mild recurrent attacks and treated appropriately. Sequels of acute polyneuropathy after an attack should be distinguished from ongoing chronic polyneuropathy, as the management is different. Overestimation of chronic neuropathy or encephalopathy caused by AP should be avoided, and other causes should be treated accordingly. Prevention of recurrent attacks is the best strategy for managing chronic comorbidities and should be actively accomplished. Hormonal interventions in female patients, or in severe cases, prophylactic givosiran or haematin, may be helpful before liver transplantation to prevent recurrent attacks. Regular monitoring can be personalised according to the patient's age, comorbidities and AP activity. Blood pressure, renal function and cardiovascular risk factors should be monitored annually in patients with previous symptoms. Appropriate medication and lifestyle management, including nutrition and hydration, are necessary to prevent complications. As PLC is common, especially in patients with acute intermittent porphyria, bi-annual surveillance after the age of 50 is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Pischik
- Department of Neurology, Consultative and Diagnostic Centre with Polyclinics, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Mattias Lissing
- Department of Hepatology, Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicolas Pallet
- Department of Nephrology, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University of Paris, Paris, France
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Raili Kauppinen
- Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Coelingh Bennink HJT, van Gennip FAM, Gerrits MGF, Egberts JFM, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Kopp-Kallner H. Health benefits of combined oral contraceptives - a narrative review. EUR J CONTRACEP REPR 2024; 29:40-52. [PMID: 38426312 DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2024.2317295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This review presents an update of the non-contraceptive health benefits of the combined oral contraceptive pill. METHODS We conducted a literature search for (review) articles that discussed the health benefits of combined oral contraceptives (COCs), in the period from 1980 to 2023. RESULTS We identified 21 subjective and/or objective health benefits of COCs related to (i) the reproductive tract, (ii) non-gynaecological benign disorders and (iii) malignancies. Reproductive tract benefits are related to menstrual bleeding(including anaemia and toxic shock syndrome), dysmenorrhoea, migraine, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), ovarian cysts, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), androgen related symptoms, ectopic pregnancy, hypoestrogenism, endometriosis and adenomyosis, uterine fibroids and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Non-gynaecological benefits are related to benign breast disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma and porphyria. Health benefits of COCs related to cancer are lower risks of endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS The use of combined oral contraceptives is accompanied with a range of health benefits, to be balanced against its side-effects and risks. Several health benefits of COCs are a reason for non-contraceptive COC prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Helena Kopp-Kallner
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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3
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Abstract
The porphyrias are a group of rare diseases, each resulting from a defect in a different enzymatic step of the heme biosynthetic pathway. They can be broadly divided into two categories, hepatic and erythropoietic porphyrias, depending on the primary site of accumulation of heme intermediates. These disorders are multisystemic with variable symptoms that can be encountered by physicians in any specialty. Here, we review the porphyrias and describe their clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management. We discuss novel therapies that are approved or in development. Early diagnosis is key for the appropriate management and prevention of long-term complications in these rare disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy K Dickey
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rebecca Karp Leaf
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Manisha Balwani
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA;
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4
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Kuo HC, Ro LS, Lin CN, Chen HY. Long-term management and treatment of acute intermittent porphyria with recurring attacks using pharmacological prophylaxis. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0327. [PMID: 38051544 PMCID: PMC10697622 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is no definitive guidance on whether patients with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) with recurrent attacks need pharmacological prophylactic treatment. METHODS The management strategies for patients with frequent (defined as ≥4 annualized attack rate (AAR) and less frequent attacks (<4 AAR), including treatment for acute attacks and duration of prophylaxis (weekly heme arginate 3 mg/kg body weight and/or investigational drug, givosiran), were summarized. The AAR for the following periods were presented: the first 2 years after diagnosis, before/after prophylaxis, and the most recent 2 years. RESULTS A total of 29 patients with AIP were included, 19 (34.5%) had <4 AAR and 10 (65.6%) had ≥4 AAR in the first 2 years after diagnosis. All patients experienced reduced attacks during the treatment course, 23 (79.3%) were attack-free during the most recent 2 years. Among the 9 patients who received prophylaxis (7 heme arginate; 1 givosiran, 1 heme arginate followed by givosiran), 5 (55.6%) were attack-free in the most recent 2-year period and prophylaxis was discontinued because there had been no attacks for >1 year. For patients without prophylaxis (n = 20), 18 (90.0%) were attack-free in the most recent 2-year period and 15 (75.0%) experienced attacks only in the first 2 years after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Prophylaxis could be considered for patients with AIP with ≥4 biochemically confirmed attacks/year after routine treatment of 1-2 years, during which the severity and frequency of attacks should be closely monitored to determine the necessity of pharmacologic prophylaxis. More studies are needed to reach a consensus on the use of pharmacological prophylaxis and treatment of AIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Chou Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Centre and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Long-Sun Ro
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Centre and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ni Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Centre, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Yu Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Centre, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Ma CD, Faust D, Bonkovsky HL. Recurrent symptoms of acute intermittent porphyria after biochemical normalization with givosiran-An ongoing clinical conundrum. JIMD Rep 2023; 64:146-149. [PMID: 36873084 PMCID: PMC9981411 DOI: 10.1002/jmd2.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A 47-year-old woman with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) has had recurring symptoms after achieving biochemical normalization of her urinary 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), porphobilinogen (PBG), and total porphyrins with givosiran. She has had normal liver tests, mildly decreased renal function, and sustained normal urinary ALA, PBG, and porphyrins with no rebound in her laboratory test results throughout treatment. She continues to tolerate monthly givosiran injections with no adverse effects, but she still experiences what she believes are acute porphyric attacks every 1-2 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D. Ma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gastroenterology and HepatologyWake Forest University School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Denise Faust
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gastroenterology and HepatologyWake Forest University School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Herbert L. Bonkovsky
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gastroenterology and HepatologyWake Forest University School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
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6
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Mortality in Pedigrees with Acute Intermittent Porphyria. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12122059. [PMID: 36556425 PMCID: PMC9785653 DOI: 10.3390/life12122059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
High mortality rates have been reported in historical cohorts of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) patients. The mortality associated with (hydroxymethylbilane synthase) HMBS variant heterozygosity is unknown. This study estimates all-cause mortality in pedigrees with HMBS gene variants that cause AIP. We collected data on the lifespan of individuals in Dutch AIP pedigrees and performed analyses using the family tree mortality ratio method. This gave us standardized mortality ratios for these pedigrees compared to the Dutch general population as a primary outcome. Between 1810 and 2017, the overall mortality in these pedigrees was identical to that of the general Dutch population: (SMR 1.01, p = 0.441). However, compared with the general population the SMR was significantly higher in women aged 45−64 years (SMR 1.99, p = 0.00003), which was based on excess mortality between 1915 and 1964 (SMR 1.94, p < 0.00002). In men aged 70−74 years, the SMR was 1.55 (p = 0.0021), based on excess mortality that occurred between 1925 and 1964 (SMR 1.92, p = 0000000003). Overall, mortality from HMBS variant heterozygosity was not increased compared with the general population. Severe excess mortality occurred in young women and old men between 1915 and 1964. Heterozygotes reached a normal lifespan during the past half-century, in parallel with disease awareness and the prevention of new attacks through family counselling.
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Cheng S, Yu E, Garacci Z, Erwin AL, Venkatesan T. Prevalence of Undiagnosed Acute Hepatic Porphyria in Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and Overlap in Clinical Symptoms. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 68:2107-2114. [PMID: 36380150 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-022-07756-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) presents with nausea and vomiting and can mimic cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). The prevalence of AHP in CVS and overlap in clinical symptomatology is not known. We thus sought to determine the prevalence of pathogenic variants for AHP and characterize symptom overlap between CVS and AHP. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of 234 CVS patients using Rome criteria. Patients were eligible for AHP genetic testing if they had recurrent episodes of severe, diffuse abdominal pain with ≥ 2 of the following-peripheral nervous system (muscle weakness/aching, numbness, tingling), central nervous system (confusion, anxiety, seizures, hallucinations), autonomic nervous system (hyponatremia, tachycardia, hypertension, constipation) symptoms, red/brownish urine, or blistering skin lesions on sun-exposed areas. A family history of AHP or elevated urinary porphobilinogen (PBG)/aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) were also criteria for genetic testing and was performed using a 4-gene panel. RESULTS Mean age was 38.7 ± 14.5 years, 180 (76.9%) were female and 200 (85.5%) were Caucasian. During a CVS attack, 173 (92%) reported abdominal pain, 166 (87.2%) had peripheral nervous system, 164 (86.8%) had central nervous system and 173 (92) % had autonomic symptoms. Ninety-one eligible patients completed genetic testing. None were positive for AHP but two had variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in the HMBS gene. CONCLUSIONS There is a high prevalence of non-gastrointestinal symptoms in CVS, like AHP, which is important for clinicians to recognize. AHP was not detected in this study and larger studies are warranted to ascertain its prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanna Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Elliot Yu
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellow, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Zhuping Garacci
- Center for Advancing Population Science, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Angelika L Erwin
- Department of Pediatrics, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Thangam Venkatesan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 395 W 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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Cassiman D, Kauppinen R, Monroy S, Lee M, Bonkovsky HL, Thapar M, Guillén‐Navarro E, Minder A, Hale C, Sweetser MT, Ivanova A. EXPLORE B: A prospective, long-term natural history study of patients with acute hepatic porphyria with chronic symptoms. J Inherit Metab Dis 2022; 45:1163-1174. [PMID: 36069414 PMCID: PMC9825970 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
One-year data from EXPLORE Part A showed high disease burden and impaired quality of life (QOL) in patients with acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) with recurrent attacks. We report baseline data of patients who enrolled in EXPLORE Part B for up to an additional 3 years of follow-up. EXPLORE B is a long-term, prospective study evaluating disease activity, pain intensity, and QOL in patients with AHP with ≥1 attack in the 12 months before enrollment or receiving hemin or gonadotropin-releasing hormone prophylaxis. Data were evaluated in patients with more (≥3 attacks or on prophylaxis treatment) or fewer (<3 attacks and no prophylaxis treatment) attacks. Patients in the total population (N = 136), and more (n = 110) and fewer (n = 26) attack subgroups, reported a median (range) of 3 (0-52), 4 (0-52), and 1 (0-2) acute attacks, respectively, in the 12 months prior to the baseline visit. Pain, mood/sleep, digestive/bladder, and nervous system symptoms were each experienced by ≥80% of patients; most received hemin during attacks. Almost three-quarters of patients reported chronic symptoms between attacks, including 85% of patients with fewer attacks. Pain intensity was comparable among both attack subgroups; most patients required pain medication. All groups had diminished QOL on the EuroQol visual analog scale and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-life Questionnaire Core 30 versus population norms. Patients with AHP with recurrent attacks, even those having fewer attacks, experience a high disease burden, as evidenced by chronic symptoms between attacks and impaired QOL.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cassiman
- Department of Gastroenterology‐Hepatology and Center for Metabolic DiseasesUniversity Hospital LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Raili Kauppinen
- Department of MedicineUniversity Hospital of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Susana Monroy
- Centro de Investigacion TraslacionalInstituto Nacional de Pediatría de MexicoMexico CityMexico
| | - Ming‐Jen Lee
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Herbert L. Bonkovsky
- Section on Gastroenterology and HepatologyWake Forest University/North Carolina Baptist Medical CenterWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Manish Thapar
- Department of MedicineThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Encarna Guillén‐Navarro
- Medical Genetics Section, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, IMIB‐ArrixacaUniversidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Anna‐Elisabeth Minder
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal MedicineStadtspital ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Cecilia Hale
- Department of Biometrics and Department of Clinical DevelopmentAlnylam PharmaceuticalsCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Marianne T. Sweetser
- Department of Clinical DevelopmentAlnylam PharmaceuticalsCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Aneta Ivanova
- Porphyria Unit, Department of GastroenterologySt. Ivan Rilski University HospitalSofiaBulgaria
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9
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Wang B, Ventura P, Takase KI, Thapar M, Cassiman D, Kubisch I, Liu S, Sweetser MT, Balwani M. Disease burden in patients with acute hepatic porphyria: experience from the phase 3 ENVISION study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:327. [PMID: 36028858 PMCID: PMC9419398 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02463-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) is a family of four rare genetic diseases, each involving deficiency in a hepatic heme biosynthetic enzyme. Resultant overproduction of the neurotoxic intermediates δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG) leads to disabling acute neurovisceral attacks and progressive neuropathy. We evaluated the AHP disease burden in patients aged ≥ 12 years in a post hoc analysis of the Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled ENVISION trial of givosiran (NCT03338816), an RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic that targets the enzyme ALAS1 to decrease ALA and PBG production. We analyzed baseline AHP severity via chronic symptoms between attacks, comorbidities, concomitant medications, hemin-associated complications, and quality of life (QOL) and evaluated givosiran (2.5 mg/kg monthly) in patients with and without prior hemin prophylaxis on number and severity of attacks and pain scores during and between attacks. Results Participants (placebo, n = 46; givosiran, n = 48) included patients with low and high annualized attack rates (AARs; range 0–46). At baseline, patients reported chronic symptoms (52%), including nausea, fatigue, and pain; comorbidities, including neuropathy (38%) and psychiatric disorders (47%); concomitant medications, including chronic opioids (29%); hemin-associated complications (eg, iron overload); and poor QOL (low SF-12 and EuroQol visual analog scale scores). A linear relationship between time since diagnosis and AAR with placebo suggested worsening of disease over time without effective treatment. Givosiran reduced the number and severity of attacks, days with worst pain scores above baseline, and opioid use versus placebo. Conclusions Patients with AHP, regardless of annualized attack rates, have considerable disease burden that may partly be alleviated with givosiran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Paolo Ventura
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Ma CD, Van Horn CG, Wan M, Bishop C, Bonkovsky HL. Assessment of porphyrogenicity of drugs and chemicals in selected hepatic cell culture models through a fluorescence-based screening assay. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2022; 10:e00951. [PMID: 35445802 PMCID: PMC9022196 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Compounds that induce 5-aminolevulinic acid [ALA] synthase-1 and/or cytochromes P-450 may induce acute porphyric attacks in patients with the acute hepatic porphyrias [AHPs]. Currently, there is no simple, robust model used to assess and predict the porphyrogenicity of drugs and chemicals. Our aim was to develop a fluorescence-based in vitro assay for this purpose. We studied four different hepatic cell culture models: HepG2 cells, LMH cells, 3D HepG2 organoids, and 3D organoids of primary liver cells from people without known disease [normal human controls]. We took advantage of the fluorescent properties of protoporphyrin IX [PP], the last intermediate of the heme biosynthesis pathway, performing fluorescence spectrometry to measure the intensity of fluorescence emitted by these cells treated with selected compounds of importance to patients with AHPs. Among the four cell culture models, the LMH cells produced the highest fluorescence readings, suggesting that these cells retain more robust heme biosynthesis enzymes or that the other cell models may have lost their inducibility of ALA synthase-1 [ALAS-1]. Allyl isopropyl acetamide [AIA], a known potent porphyrogen and inducer of ALAS-1, was used as a positive control to help predict porphyrogenicity for tested compounds. Among the tested compounds (acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid, β-estradiol, hydroxychloroquine sulfate, alpha-methyldopa, D (-) norgestrel, phenobarbital, phenytoin, sulfamethoxazole, sulfisoxazole, sodium valproate, and valsartan), concentrations greater than 0.314 mM for norgestrel, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and sodium valproate produced fluorescence readings higher than the reading produced by the positive AIA control. Porphyrin accumulation was also measured by HPLC to confirm the validity of the assay. We conclude that LMH cell cultures in multi-well plates are an inexpensive, robust, and simple system to predict the porphyrogenicity of existing or novel compounds that may exacerbate the AHPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Ma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cynthia G Van Horn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Meimei Wan
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Colin Bishop
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Herbert L Bonkovsky
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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Marcacci M, Ricci A, Cuoghi C, Marchini S, Pietrangelo A, Ventura P. Challenges in diagnosis and management of acute hepatic porphyrias: from an uncommon pediatric onset to innovative treatments and perspectives. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:160. [PMID: 35392955 PMCID: PMC8991793 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02314-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute hepatic porphyrias (AHPs) are a family of four rare genetic diseases resulting from a deficiency in one of the enzymes involved in heme biosynthesis. AHP patients can experience potentially life-threatening acute attacks, characterized by severe abdominal pain, along with other signs and symptoms including nausea, mental confusion, hyponatraemia, hypertension, tachycardia and muscle weakness. Some patients also experience chronic manifestations and long-term complications, such as chronic pain syndrome, neuropathy and porphyria-associated kidney disease. Most symptomatic patients have only a few attacks in their lifetime; nevertheless, some experience frequent attacks that result in ongoing symptoms and a significant negative impact on their quality of life (QoL). Initial diagnosis of AHP can be made with a test for urinary porphobilinogen, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\delta$$\end{document}δ-aminolaevulinic acid and porphyrins using a single random (spot) sample. However, diagnosis is frequently missed or delayed, often for years, because the clinical symptoms of AHP are non-specific and mimic other more common disorders. Delayed diagnosis is of concern as some commonly used medications can trigger or exacerbate acute attacks, and untreated attacks can become severe, potentially leading to permanent neurological damage or fatality. Other attack triggers include hormonal fluctuations in women, stress, alcohol and low-calorie diets, which should be avoided in patients where possible. For the management of attacks, intravenous hemin is approved, whereas new therapeutic approaches are currently being investigated as a baseline therapy for prevention of attacks and improvement of QoL. Among these, a novel siRNA-based agent, givosiran, has shown very promising results in a recently concluded Phase III trial and has been approved for the management of AHPs. Here, we propose a challenging case study-with a very unusual pediatric onset of variegate porphyria-as a starting point to summarize the main clinical aspects (namely, clinical manifestations, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic management) of AHPs, with a focus on the latest therapeutic innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Marcacci
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences for Children and Adults, Internal Medicine Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Ricci
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences for Children and Adults, Internal Medicine Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Chiara Cuoghi
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences for Children and Adults, Internal Medicine Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Stefano Marchini
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences for Children and Adults, Internal Medicine Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonello Pietrangelo
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences for Children and Adults, Internal Medicine Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Paolo Ventura
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences for Children and Adults, Internal Medicine Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy.
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12
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Anderson KE, Desnick RJ, Stewart MF, Ventura P, Bonkovsky HL. Acute Hepatic Porphyrias: "Purple Flags"-Clinical Features That Should Prompt Specific Diagnostic Testing. Am J Med Sci 2022; 363:1-10. [PMID: 34606756 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2021.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Porphyrias are a group of rare diseases leading to dysregulation in heme biosynthesis and the accumulation of heme precursors, including porphyrinogens, which in their oxidized states [porphyrins] are reddish or purple. Acute hepatic porphyrias (AHP) comprise four diseases that cause acute debilitating neurovisceral attacks. Despite diagnostic advances, AHP is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to a lack of disease awareness, low clinical suspicion, variable presentation, and nonspecific symptoms that mimic more common diseases. Delays in diagnosis and treatment increase the risk of serious acute and chronic complications. METHODS In order to assess whether symptoms alone or in combination might be utilized as important indicators or "purple flags" that, when present, should alert clinicians to suspect AHP and pursue specific diagnostic testing, we conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on AHP, including cohort studies and case reports over two epochs, from 1980 to 2006 and from 2012 to 2018. RESULTS We found that severe abdominal pain, with or without acute central nervous system manifestations and peripheral neuropathy, continues to be the most frequent symptom. Hyponatremia, change in urine color, and certain chronic symptoms were also identified as features that should raise suspicion of AHP. To improve diagnosis of AHP, clinicians need to take a broad perspective, including demographic data and medical history, into consideration. CONCLUSIONS The clinical features of AHP continue to be severe pain, especially pain in the abdomen. Other features that should raise suspicion are autonomic, peripheral, or central neuropathies, hyponatremia, and red-purple urine color.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl E Anderson
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Robert J Desnick
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - M Felicity Stewart
- Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK; Division of Medical Education, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Paolo Ventura
- Internal Medicine Unit, Policlinico Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Herbert L Bonkovsky
- Section on Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine/North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Nutrition Research Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA..
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13
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Kuo HC, Lin CN, Tang YF. Prophylactic Heme Arginate Infusion for Acute Intermittent Porphyria. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:712305. [PMID: 34690757 PMCID: PMC8526969 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.712305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of long-term weekly prophylactic heme arginate (HA) infusions in reducing attack frequency and severity in female AIP patients. Methods: We report the results of five female AIP patients with frequent recurrent attacks (>9/year) before and after institution of weekly prophylaxis with heme arginate (3 mg/kg body weight). All five cases had confirmed disease-associated mutations in the porphobilinogen deaminase gene, and all had received genetic and clinical counseling about AIP. Results: In the five included patients, average annual attack rate (AAR) in the year prior to HA prophylaxis was 11.82 (range 9.03–17.06), and average total HA usage was 32.60 doses (range: 13.71–53.13). After 2.58–14.64 years of HA prophylaxis, average AAR was reduced to 2.23 (range 0.00–5.58), and attack severity (i.e., doses required per attack) was reduced from 2.81 to 1.39 doses/attack. Liver and renal function remained stable during weekly administration of HA prophylaxis. The most common complications were port-A catheter-related events. No other complications or safety concerns occurred with long-term use of HA prophylaxis. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated women with AIP receiving weekly prophylactic HA infusions resulted in fewer episodes that required acute HA treatment while maintaining stable renal and liver function. Weekly prophylactic HA infusions effectively prevent frequent porphyric attacks and reduce attack severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Chou Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ni Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fen Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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14
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Jaramillo-Calle DA, Martinez YA, Balwani M, Fernandez C, Toro M. Porphyria attacks in prepubertal children and adolescents. Mol Genet Metab 2021; 133:242-249. [PMID: 34083144 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The clinical and laboratory features of dominant acute hepatic porphyrias (AHPs) in prepubertal children and adolescents have not been well established. OBJECTIVE To evaluate clinical and laboratory features of AHPs in prepubertal children and adolescents compared to adults. DATA SOURCES OVID (Embase Classic+Embase and MEDLINE), Scopus, and Google Scholar. STUDY SELECTION Studies describing symptomatic children or adolescents (<18 years old) with increased urinary porphobilinogen were included. DATA EXTRACTION Two reviewers independently extracted the data, with a third reviewer arbitrating discrepancies. RESULTS 100 studies were included describing 112 patients (26 prepubertal children and 86 adolescents). Differences were found between prepubertal children and adolescents regarding sex distribution (female-to-male ratio: 1:2 vs. 4:1), clinical manifestations, and concomitant clinical manifestations. LIMITATIONS There was variation in the methods used to diagnose porphyria attacks across studies, and some elements of the quality of individual studies were unclear. CONCLUSIONS Prepubertal children with AHPs and porphyria attacks presented with distinct demographic and clinical characteristics from adolescents and adults. Nearly two-thirds of the affected children were males, and about half had a concomitant medical condition that can constitutively upregulate hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase-1. Adolescents were comparable to adults in almost all respects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Jaramillo-Calle
- IPS Universitaria Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia; Institute of Medical Research, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia.
| | | | - Manisha Balwani
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
| | - Camila Fernandez
- Department of Medicine, Universidad CES School of Medicine, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Martin Toro
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, IPS Universitaria Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
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15
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Vassiliou D, Lindén Hirschberg A, Sardh E. Treatment with assisted reproduction technologies in women with acute hepatic porphyria. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2021; 100:1712-1721. [PMID: 34060066 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute porphyrias are rare disorders of the heme biosynthetic pathway and present with acute neurovisceral symptoms that can be induced by hormonal changes and medications. Women are far more likely to present with clinical symptoms than men, particularly during parts of their lifetime with changes in the level of female sex hormones such as ovulation, menstruation, and pregnancy. Treatment of ovulatory dysfunction and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation require the administration of hormones, which are considered porphyrinogenic. Women with acute hepatic porphyria have therefore been considered unsuitable for such treatments in the past. MATERIAL AND METHODS We report on nine women with acute hepatic porphyria who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF), preceded by ovarian stimulation. Their mean age at the start of IVF was 33.2 years (range 27-38 years). Two women had been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, two were treated for hyperprolactinemia, two had hypothyroidism, of which one also had type 1 diabetes, one had a uterus malformation, one had anovulatory cycles, and one used a sperm donor. RESULTS All patients were able to undergo fertility treatment without experiencing severe porphyria attacks. CONCLUSIONS Women with acute hepatic porphyria considering fertility treatments should be assessed individually for potential risks, treatment should be planned in close collaboration with a porphyria specialist, and biochemical activity should be monitored regularly during ovarian stimulation. As we gather more knowledge, we hope that the porphyrinogenicity of the stimulation agents is re-assessed and that more studies will shed light on the reproductive health of women living with acute hepatic porphyria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Vassiliou
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Porphyria Center Sweden, Center for Inherited Metabolic Diseases (CMMS), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Angelica Lindén Hirschberg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eliane Sardh
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Porphyria Center Sweden, Center for Inherited Metabolic Diseases (CMMS), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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16
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Cerovac A, Brigic A, Softic D, Barakovic A, Adzajlic S. Uncontrolled Acute Intermittent Porphyria as a Cause of Spontaneous Abortion. Med Arch 2021; 74:153-155. [PMID: 32577061 PMCID: PMC7296395 DOI: 10.5455/medarh.2020.74.153-155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The association of acute intermitetn porphyria (AIP) with pregnancy and as a cause of spontaneous abortion is rare. Aim: To show a case of AIP known before pregnancy in a patient who had a spontaneous abortion. Case report: A gynecologist examined 26-year-old patient in the 8th week of gestation, due to initial spontaneous abortion, abdominal pain, constipation, muscle weakness, vomiting and dark colour of urine. Her therapy was dydrogesterone. In consultation with an anesthesiologist, a short intravenous anesthesia, vacuum aspiration, and curettage were performed.During hospitalization, the patient ceased to take harmful drugs and she was given haemarginate, glucose and symptomatic drugs, and she recovered completely. Conclusion: Treatment of threatened spontaneous abortion in AIP remains the subject of dilemma and controversy, and future research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anis Cerovac
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, General Hospital Tesanj, Tesanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina.,Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine; University of Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Alma Brigic
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Dzenana Softic
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Amna Barakovic
- Primary Health Care Center "Izudin Mulabecirovic Izo" Tesanj, Tesanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Adzajlic
- Clinic for Urology, University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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17
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Abstract
The acute hepatic porphyrias (AHP) are a group of four inherited diseases of heme biosynthesis. They present with similar severe, episodic, acute neurovisceral symptoms due to abnormally elevated levels of porphyrin precursors delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Recently genetic screening indicates that the prevalence of mutation carrier state is more common than previously thought, occurring in 1 in 1,500, though the clinical penetrance of symptomatic AHP is low at ~1%. Symptomatic attacks occur primarily in females during their reproductive years. In an acute porphyria attack, the primary symptom is abdominal pain, due to intestinal dysmotility from autonomic nerve injury. Other manifestations include seizures, weakness and mood changes, point to injury involving peripheral and central nervous system. Due to the non-specific nature of the symptoms and signs in AHP, the diagnosis is often delayed by many years. The diagnosis of AHP depends on biochemical evidence of elevated ALA and PBG levels in urine during symptomatic attacks. Genetic testing is used for confirmation of the gene involved and the exact mutation. Treatment involves administration of heme, which downregulates production of ALA. Long-term management centers on educating genetic carriers on avoiding triggers that increase the risk of acute attacks and screening family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Wang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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18
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Sachau J, Kersebaum D, Baron R, Dickenson AH. Unusual Pain Disorders - What Can Be Learned from Them? J Pain Res 2021; 13:3539-3554. [PMID: 33758536 PMCID: PMC7980038 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s287603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain is common in many different disorders and leads to a significant reduction in quality of life in the affected patients. Current treatment options are limited and often result in insufficient pain relief, partly due to the incomplete understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The identification of these pathomechanisms is therefore a central object of current research. There are also a number of rare pain diseases, that are generally little known and often undiagnosed, but whose correct diagnosis and examination can help to improve the management of pain disorders in general. In some of these unusual pain disorders like sodium-channelopathies or sensory modulation disorder the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have only recently been unravelled. These mechanisms might serve as pharmacological targets that may also play a role in subgroups of other, more common pain diseases. In other unusual pain disorders, the identification of pathomechanisms has already led to the development of new drugs. A completely new therapeutic approach, the gene silencing, can even stop progression in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis and porphyria, ie in pain diseases that would otherwise be rapidly fatal if left untreated. Thus, pain therapists and researchers should be aware of these rare and unusual pain disorders as they offer the unique opportunity to study mechanisms, identify new druggable targets and finally because early diagnosis might save many patient lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Sachau
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, 24105, Germany
| | - Dilara Kersebaum
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, 24105, Germany
| | - Ralf Baron
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, 24105, Germany
| | - Anthony H Dickenson
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
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19
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Ma L, Tian Y, Peng C, Zhang Y, Zhang S. Recent advances in the epidemiology and genetics of acute intermittent porphyria. Intractable Rare Dis Res 2020; 9:196-204. [PMID: 33139978 PMCID: PMC7586877 DOI: 10.5582/irdr.2020.03082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a dominant inherited disorder with a low penetrance that is caused by mutations in the gene coding for hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS). Information about the epidemiology and molecular genetic features of this rare disorder is crucial to clinical research, and particularly to the evaluation of new treatments. Variations in the prevalence and penetrance of AIP in various studies may due to the different inclusion criteria and methods of assessment. Here, the prevalence and penetrance of AIP are analyzed systematically, and the genetic traits of different populations and findings regarding the genotype-phenotype correlation are summarized. In addition, quite a few studies have indicated that AIP susceptibility was affected by other factors, such as modifying genes. Findings regarding possible modifying genes are documented here, helping to reveal the pathogenesis of and treatments for AIP. The status of research on AIP in China reveals the lack of epidemiological and genetic studies of the Chinese population, a situation that needs to be promptly remedied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyan Ma
- Department of Endocrinology, The second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of Endocrinology, The second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Chenxing Peng
- Department of Endocrinology, The second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yiran Zhang
- School of First Clinical Medical College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Songyun Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, The second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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20
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Porphyric Neuropathy: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Updated Management. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2020; 20:56. [PMID: 33026560 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-020-01078-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the peripheral neurological complications of the acute hepatic porphyrias, as well as the latest advances in their pathophysiology and management. RECENT FINDINGS The diagnosis of porphyric neuropathy remains challenging as varying neuropathic patterns are encountered depending on disease stage, including a non-length-dependent distribution pattern. The major pathophysiologic mechanism is δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-induced neurotoxicity. The less restrictive blood-nerve barrier in the autonomic ganglia and myenteric plexus may explain the frequency of dysautonomic manifestations. Recently, a prophylactic small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapy that reduces hepatic ALA Synthase-1 mRNA was approved for patients with recurrent neuro-visceral attacks. Neurologists should appreciate the varying patterns of porphyric neuropathy. As with most toxin-induced axonopathies, long-term outcomes depend on early diagnosis and treatment. While the short-term clinical and biochemical benefits of siRNA-based therapy are known, its long-term effects on motor recovery, chronic pain, and dysautonomic manifestations are yet to be determined.
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21
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Baumann K, Kauppinen R. Penetrance and predictive value of genetic screening in acute porphyria. Mol Genet Metab 2020; 130:87-99. [PMID: 32067921 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Penetrance, predictive value and female patients' perspectives on genetic testing were evaluated among Finnish patients with acute porphyria. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate prognosis among at-risk female family members depending on the primary method of diagnosis. METHODS The penetrance was calculated among 23 genetically heterogeneous families selected from the Finnish porphyria registry (n = 515, AIP 333; VP 182). We included kindreds with ≥9 patients in a family (range 9-23 patients, total 216 AIP; 129 VP). In 2015, the registry included 164 living female subjects between 14 and 85 years of age. A questionnaire was sent to 143 women, of whom 107 (75%, AIP 67; VP 40) replied. Female at-risk relatives (AIP 54; VP 30) were divided into two groups based on the primary method of diagnosis: mutation analysis (Group A, n = 40) or biochemical analysis (Group B, n = 44). RESULTS Mean penetrance for all acute symptoms was 35% among AIP and 40% among VP families. In both study groups, the penetrance was higher among female (AIP 50%; VP 44%) than male patients (AIP 17%; VP 33%). Penetrance for hospitalized attacks was 30% among AIP families (range 10-80%, for women 41%) and 25% in VP (range 0-50%, for women 27%) demonstrating wide variations among families even with the similar genotype. Acute porphyria was diagnosed at the median age of 26 years (range 0-76 years) among female patients, commonly after the onset of acute symptoms. Diagnostic delay was an average of 7.4 years (range 1-30 years). Acute symptoms occurred at the median age of 24 years (range 10-57 years) and the first hospitalization at the median age of 26.5 years (range 15-57 years). At the onset of symptoms, 38% of the women were ≤ 20 years of age. According to the life table analysis, acute attacks occurred mainly during the following five years after the diagnosis and the attack risk diminished after 35 years of age. The annual risk for hospitalization due to an acute attack during fertile years was lower in Group A than Group B (0.002 vs. 0.010, p = .018), but the risk of all subsequent acute symptoms did not diminish (Group A 0.017 vs. Group B 0.019, p = .640). The cumulative risk of acute symptoms among asymptomatic patients at the time of diagnosis was 26.7% for Group A and 58.3% for Group B. The cumulative risk of the first subsequent attack requiring hospitalization after the diagnosis among all at-risk relatives was similarly less frequent in Group A than in Group B (OR 0.180; 95% CI 0.041-0.789, p = .041). If attacks were followed among symptomatic patients only, attack-free years were more frequent in Group A than in Group B. Patients preferred genetic screening before puberty to minimize the risk of acute symptoms and genetic discrimination was rare. 44% of the patients reported social, psychological or physical impairment due to acute hepatic porphyria, emphasizing the importance of supporting patients' emotional and resilience capacity. CONCLUSIONS Among female at-risk relatives the annual risk for hospitalization due to an acute attack is <1% and for acute symptoms <2% during the fertile years. Genetic testing of relatives diminishes the risk of acute attacks. Diagnosis before symptom onset is key for subjects to remain asymptomatic during follow-up, and genetic screening should be done earlier than currently.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Baumann
- Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Finland; Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Medicine, Finland
| | - R Kauppinen
- Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Medicine, Finland.
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22
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Gouya L, Ventura P, Balwani M, Bissell DM, Rees DC, Stölzel U, Phillips JD, Kauppinen R, Langendonk JG, Desnick RJ, Deybach J, Bonkovsky HL, Parker C, Naik H, Badminton M, Stein PE, Minder E, Windyga J, Bruha R, Cappellini MD, Sardh E, Harper P, Sandberg S, Aarsand AK, Andersen J, Alegre F, Ivanova A, Talbi N, Chan A, Querbes W, Ko J, Penz C, Liu S, Lin T, Simon A, Anderson KE. EXPLORE: A Prospective, Multinational, Natural History Study of Patients with Acute Hepatic Porphyria with Recurrent Attacks. Hepatology 2020; 71:1546-1558. [PMID: 31512765 PMCID: PMC7255459 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Acute hepatic porphyria comprises a group of rare genetic diseases caused by mutations in genes involved in heme biosynthesis. Patients can experience acute neurovisceral attacks, debilitating chronic symptoms, and long-term complications. There is a lack of multinational, prospective data characterizing the disease and current treatment practices in severely affected patients. APPROACH AND RESULTS EXPLORE is a prospective, multinational, natural history study characterizing disease activity and clinical management in patients with acute hepatic porphyria who experience recurrent attacks. Eligible patients had a confirmed acute hepatic porphyria diagnosis and had experienced ≥3 attacks in the prior 12 months or were receiving prophylactic treatment. A total of 112 patients were enrolled and followed for at least 6 months. In the 12 months before the study, patients reported a median (range) of 6 (0-52) acute attacks, with 52 (46%) patients receiving hemin prophylaxis. Chronic symptoms were reported by 73 (65%) patients, with 52 (46%) patients experiencing these daily. During the study, 98 (88%) patients experienced a total of 483 attacks, 77% of which required treatment at a health care facility and/or hemin administration (median [range] annualized attack rate 2.0 [0.0-37.0]). Elevated levels of hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase 1 messenger ribonucleic acid levels, δ-aminolevulinic acid, and porphobilinogen compared with the upper limit of normal in healthy individuals were observed at baseline and increased further during attacks. Patients had impaired quality of life and increased health care utilization. CONCLUSIONS Patients experienced attacks often requiring treatment in a health care facility and/or with hemin, as well as chronic symptoms that adversely influenced day-to-day functioning. In this patient group, the high disease burden and diminished quality of life highlight the need for novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Gouya
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares PorphyriesColombesFrance
- University of ParisParisFrance
- Laboratory of Excellence GR‐ExParisFrance
| | - Paolo Ventura
- Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio EmiliaEmilia‐RomagnaItaly
| | | | | | - David C. Rees
- King’s College HospitalKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | | | | | | | - Janneke G. Langendonk
- Porphyria CenterCenter for Lysosomal and Metabolic DiseaseDepartment of Internal MedicineErasmus MCUniversity Medical Center Rotterdamthe Netherlands
| | | | - Jean‐Charles Deybach
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares PorphyriesColombesFrance
- University of ParisParisFrance
- Laboratory of Excellence GR‐ExParisFrance
| | - Herbert L. Bonkovsky
- Section on Gastroenterology & HepatologyWake Forest University/NC Baptist Medical CenterWinston‐SalemNC
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jerzy Windyga
- Department of Hemostatic Disorders and Internal MedicineInstitute of Hematology and Transfusion MedicineWarsawPoland
| | - Radan Bruha
- 4th Internal ClinicGeneral University HospitalCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | | | - Eliane Sardh
- Porphyria Centre Sweden, Centre for Inherited Metabolic DiseasesKarolinska Institutet, Karolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Pauline Harper
- Porphyria Centre Sweden, Centre for Inherited Metabolic DiseasesKarolinska Institutet, Karolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Sverre Sandberg
- Norwegian Porphyria CentreHaukeland University HospitalBergenNorway
| | - Aasne K. Aarsand
- Norwegian Porphyria CentreHaukeland University HospitalBergenNorway
| | - Janice Andersen
- Norwegian Porphyria CentreHaukeland University HospitalBergenNorway
| | | | | | - Neila Talbi
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares PorphyriesColombesFrance
- University of ParisParisFrance
- Laboratory of Excellence GR‐ExParisFrance
| | - Amy Chan
- Alnylam PharmaceuticalsCambridgeMA
| | | | - John Ko
- Alnylam PharmaceuticalsCambridgeMA
| | | | | | - Tim Lin
- Alnylam PharmaceuticalsCambridgeMA
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Stone J, Reed D. Maternal genetic diseases: potential concerns for mother and baby. Hum Genet 2019; 139:1173-1182. [PMID: 31729547 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-019-02086-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
With advances in medical care, many women with genetic conditions previously known to decrease life expectancy are reaching childbearing age. Thus, it is important to understand the management of patients in the preconception, antepartum, and postpartum periods as they pose a unique challenge to the obstetrician. Most rare disorders lack well-established clinical guidelines for management in pregnancy. Existing data stem from case reports, case series, and expert opinion. We aim to summarize these recommendations and develop a clinical reference for managing reproductive age women with these conditions. We review recommendations for women with inborn errors in metabolism, connective tissue disorders, skeletal dysplasia, and selected single gene disorders. In all cases, it is crucial to employ a multidisciplinary team to optimize care for patients with rare disease before, during, and immediately after their pregnancies. The emphasis on expert consensus recommendations in the guidance of obstetric care is a signal that more studies are needed to determine best practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Stone
- Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Center, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Dallas Reed
- Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Center, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
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Simon A, Pompilus F, Querbes W, Wei A, Strzok S, Penz C, Howe DL, Hungate JR, Kim JB, Agarwal S, Marquis P. Patient Perspective on Acute Intermittent Porphyria with Frequent Attacks: A Disease with Intermittent and Chronic Manifestations. PATIENT-PATIENT CENTERED OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2019; 11:527-537. [PMID: 29915990 PMCID: PMC6132435 DOI: 10.1007/s40271-018-0319-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Objective Acute intermittent porphyria is a rare metabolic disorder that affects heme synthesis. Patients with acute intermittent porphyria may experience acute debilitating neurovisceral attacks that require frequent hospitalizations and negatively impact quality of life. Although clinical aspects of acute intermittent porphyria attacks have been documented, the experience of patients is not well known, particularly for those more severely affected patients who experience frequent attacks. The aim of the present study was to qualitatively characterize the experience of patients with acute intermittent porphyria who have frequent attacks, as well as the impact of the disease on daily living. Methods Patients with acute intermittent porphyria who experience frequent attacks were recruited and took part in 2-h qualitative one-on-one interviews with a semi-structured guide. Interviews were anonymized, transcribed, and coded. The inductive coding approach targeted textual data related to acute intermittent porphyria attack symptoms, chronic symptoms, and the impact of the disease. Saturation analysis was conducted to assess whether the research elicited an adequate account of patients’ experiences. Results In total, 19 patients with acute intermittent porphyria were interviewed (mean age 40 years; 79% female). Eighteen patients (95%) experienced both attack and chronic symptoms. Patients described attacks as the onset of unmanageable symptoms that generally lasted 3–5 days requiring hospitalization and/or treatment. Pain, nausea, and vomiting were considered key attack symptoms; pain, nausea, fatigue, and aspects of neuropathy (e.g., tingling and numbness) were considered key chronic symptoms. Conclusions In this study population of acute intermittent porphyria with frequent attacks, most patients had symptoms during and between attacks. In these patients, acute intermittent porphyria appears to have acute exacerbations as well as chronic day-to-day manifestations, and is not just intermittent as its name implies. As a result, patients reported limitations in their ability to function across multiple domains of their lives on a regular basis and not just during acute attacks. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40271-018-0319-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Simon
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 300 Third Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
| | | | - William Querbes
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 300 Third Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Alex Wei
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 300 Third Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | | | - Craig Penz
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 300 Third Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | | | | | - Jae B Kim
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 300 Third Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Sonalee Agarwal
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 300 Third Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
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Sardh E, Harper P, Balwani M, Stein P, Rees D, Bissell DM, Desnick R, Parker C, Phillips J, Bonkovsky HL, Vassiliou D, Penz C, Chan-Daniels A, He Q, Querbes W, Fitzgerald K, Kim JB, Garg P, Vaishnaw A, Simon AR, Anderson KE. Phase 1 Trial of an RNA Interference Therapy for Acute Intermittent Porphyria. N Engl J Med 2019; 380:549-558. [PMID: 30726693 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1807838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Induction of delta aminolevulinic acid synthase 1 ( ALAS1) gene expression and accumulation of neurotoxic intermediates result in neurovisceral attacks and disease manifestations in patients with acute intermittent porphyria, a rare inherited disease of heme biosynthesis. Givosiran is an investigational RNA interference therapeutic agent that inhibits hepatic ALAS1 synthesis. METHODS We conducted a phase 1 trial of givosiran in patients with acute intermittent porphyria. In part A of the trial, patients without recent porphyria attacks (i.e., no attacks in the 6 months before baseline) were randomly assigned to receive a single subcutaneous injection of one of five ascending doses of givosiran (0.035, 0.10, 0.35, 1.0, or 2.5 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo. In part B, patients without recent attacks were randomly assigned to receive once-monthly injections of one of two doses of givosiran (0.35 or 1.0 mg per kilogram) or placebo (total of two injections 28 days apart). In part C, patients who had recurrent attacks were randomly assigned to receive injections of one of two doses of givosiran (2.5 or 5.0 mg per kilogram) or placebo once monthly (total of four injections) or once quarterly (total of two injections) during a 12-week period, starting on day 0. Safety, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and exploratory efficacy outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 23 patients in parts A and B and 17 patients in part C underwent randomization. Common adverse events included nasopharyngitis, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Serious adverse events occurred in 6 patients who received givosiran in parts A through C combined. In part C, all 6 patients who were assigned to receive once-monthly injections of givosiran had sustained reductions in ALAS1 messenger RNA (mRNA), delta aminolevulinic acid, and porphobilinogen levels to near normal. These reductions were associated with a 79% lower mean annualized attack rate than that observed with placebo (exploratory efficacy end point). CONCLUSIONS Once-monthly injections of givosiran in patients who had recurrent porphyria attacks resulted in mainly low-grade adverse events, reductions in induced ALAS1 mRNA levels, nearly normalized levels of the neurotoxic intermediates delta aminolevulinic acid and porphobilinogen, and a lower attack rate than that observed with placebo. (Funded by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02452372 .).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane Sardh
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Pauline Harper
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Manisha Balwani
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Penelope Stein
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - David Rees
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - D Montgomery Bissell
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Robert Desnick
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Charles Parker
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - John Phillips
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Herbert L Bonkovsky
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Daphne Vassiliou
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Craig Penz
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Amy Chan-Daniels
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Qiuling He
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - William Querbes
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Kevin Fitzgerald
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Jae B Kim
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Pushkal Garg
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Akshay Vaishnaw
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Amy R Simon
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
| | - Karl E Anderson
- From the Porphyria Centre Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (E.S., P.H., D.V.); Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (M.B., R.D.); King's College Hospital, London (P.S., D.R.); University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco (D.M.B.); University of Utah, Salt Lake City (C. Parker, J.P.); Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (H.L.B.); Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA (C. Penz, A.C.-D., Q.H., W.Q., K.F., J.B.K., P.G., A.V., A.R.S.); and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston (K.E.A.)
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Jaramillo-Calle DA, Aguirre Acevedo DC. Acute Hepatic Porphyrias in Colombia: An Analysis of 101 Patients. JIMD Rep 2018; 44:65-72. [PMID: 30069833 PMCID: PMC6323027 DOI: 10.1007/8904_2018_125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is minimal information available about acute hepatic porphyrias (AHPs) in developing countries. The aim of this study was to describe the demographics, clinical features, and mortality of AHPs in Colombia. PATIENTS AND METHODS 121 patients with presumed diagnosis of AHPs were reported in Colombia between 1944 and 2018. A pooled analysis of 53 patients with confirmed diagnosis was performed to evaluate the demographics, clinical features, and mortality of AHPs in the country. Selected variables were compared by periods (1952-2000 and 2001-2018). RESULTS Most attacks occurred in women (66%), with a women-to-man ratio of 39/14. 96% of the patients were diagnosed with AHPs between 15 and 40 years of age. Precipitants were identified in 71% of attacks and more than one precipitant in 41% of them. Drugs (85%) and infections (44%) were the most common precipitants. 11% of women had premenstrual attacks. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom (96%). Cortical blindness, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and rhabdomyolysis were described. 70% of attacks were confirmed by qualitative test only. 67% of attacks were treated with intravenous heme. The use of heme increased from 4 to 85% in the last two decades. Mortality decreased about twofold in relation to the increase in the use of heme. Severe motor neuropathy was associated with increased mortality. Gonadorelin analogues, heme prophylaxis, and orthotopic liver transplantation have been used to prevent recurrent attacks. CONCLUSIONS Diagnosis and treatment of AHPs in Colombia have improved in recent decades. However, there are still important shortcomings to address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Jaramillo-Calle
- Colombian Porphyria Research Group (PorfiCol), IPS Universitaria - Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
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Varshney GA, Saini PA, Ghure U. A rare case of acute intermittent porphyria with ichthyosis vulgaris in a young boy. J Family Med Prim Care 2018; 7:261-263. [PMID: 29915773 PMCID: PMC5958583 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_141_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) and ichthyosis vulgaris both are autosomal dominant disorders with incomplete penetrance caused by the deficiency of porphobilinogen deaminase enzyme and filaggrin protein, respectively. We report a rare case of a 9-year-old boy having two genetic diseases with an unclear association. An acute attack of AIP is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms and neuropsychiatric manifestations. Although rare in the first decade of life, the presence of reddish urine with a typical presentation such as abdominal pain, hypertension, seizure, and paresthesias lead us to the diagnosis of AIP. The precipitating factor in the present case was prolonged fasting in Ramadan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Agrawal Varshney
- Department of Pediatrics, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Postgraduate Institute, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Purti Agrawal Saini
- Department of Pathology, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Postgraduate Institute, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Upendra Ghure
- Department of Pediatrics, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Postgraduate Institute, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
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Abstract
The diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is often overlooked. We describe a patient with this condition who had all the 'bells and whistles', in whom the diagnosis was only made after considerable delay. Far from an esoteric condition haunting examination candidates, AIP is an important cause of a broad spectrum of neurological symptoms. Its early recognition allows the astute clinician to prevent potentially devastating sequelae. We provide practical guidance on the investigation and management of this complex disorder. With a 'back to basics' approach to the underlying genetics and biochemistry, we hope to dispel some of the confusion that may obstruct a timely diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronan O'Malley
- Department of Neurology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals (STH), Sheffield, UK.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ganesh Rao
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Department of Neurophysiology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals (STH), Sheffield, UK
| | - Penelope Stein
- Department of Haematological Medicine, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Oliver Bandmann
- Department of Neurology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals (STH), Sheffield, UK.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Balwani M, Wang B, Anderson KE, Bloomer JR, Bissell DM, Bonkovsky HL, Phillips JD, Desnick RJ. Acute hepatic porphyrias: Recommendations for evaluation and long-term management. Hepatology 2017; 66:1314-1322. [PMID: 28605040 PMCID: PMC5605422 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The acute hepatic porphyrias are a group of four inherited disorders, each resulting from a deficiency in the activity of a specific enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway. These disorders present clinically with acute neurovisceral symptoms which may be sporadic or recurrent and, when severe, can be life-threatening. The diagnosis is often missed or delayed as the clinical features resemble other more common medical conditions. There are four major subgroups: symptomatic patients with sporadic attacks (<4 attacks/year) or recurrent acute attacks (≥4 attacks/year), asymptomatic high porphyrin precursor excretors, and asymptomatic latent patients without symptoms or porphyrin precursor elevations. Given their clinical heterogeneity and potential for significant morbidity with suboptimal management, comprehensive clinical guidelines for initial evaluation, follow-up, and long-term management are needed, particularly because no guidelines exist for monitoring disease progression or response to treatment. The Porphyrias Consortium of the National Institutes of Health's Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network, which consists of expert centers in the clinical management of these disorders, has formulated these recommendations. These recommendations are based on the literature, ongoing natural history studies, and extensive clinical experience. Initial assessments should include diagnostic confirmation by biochemical testing, subsequent genetic testing to determine the specific acute hepatic porphyria, and a complete medical history and physical examination. Newly diagnosed patients should be counseled about avoiding known precipitating factors. The frequency of follow-up depends on the clinical subgroup, with close monitoring of patients with recurrent attacks who may require treatment modifications as well as those with clinical complications. Comprehensive care should include subspecialist referrals when needed. Annual assessments include biochemical testing and monitoring for long-term complications. These guidelines provide a framework for monitoring patients with acute hepatic porphyrias to ensure optimal outcomes. (Hepatology 2017;66:1314-1322).
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Balwani
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, NY
| | - Bruce Wang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Karl E. Anderson
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
| | | | | | - Herbert L. Bonkovsky
- Department of Medicine, Wake Forest NC Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - John D. Phillips
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Robert J. Desnick
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, NY
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Kumar S, Bhalla A, Sharma N, Dhibar DP, Kumari S, Varma S. Clinical, Biochemical Characteristics and Hospital Outcome of Acute Intermittent Porphyria Patients: A Descriptive Study from North India. Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2017; 20:263-269. [PMID: 28904459 PMCID: PMC5586122 DOI: 10.4103/aian.aian_91_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an inherited metabolic disease characterized by disordered heme biosynthesis. There is no recent study reported from India. MATERIALS AND METHODS It was a retrospective, observational study. Clinical records of patients of AIP with acute porphyric attacks admitted from April 2008 to December 2016 were analyzed. RESULTS Fifteen AIP patients constituted of eight females and seven males were analyzed. Mean age at presentation was 34.33 ± 15.86 years. Thirteen patients (86.67%) had acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). All of them had peripheral neuropathy. These patients concomitantly had abdominal pain, seizure, encephalopathy, autonomic hyperactivity, history of passage of dark urine, and electrolyte abnormality (hyponatremia) in various combinations. Abdominal pain was the presenting symptom in 11 (73.33%) patients. Seven (46.67%) patients had seizure episodes. Five patients (33.33%) had hyponatremia at presentation. Significantly higher percentage of them had seizure at presentation or during hospital stay (P = 0.007). These patients also had evidence of autonomic hyperactivity in the form of higher pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure at presentation. They had prolonged duration of hospital stay as well (P = 0.016). Eleven patients had partial recovery and rest four patients (26.67%) had in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION Patients had severe neurological involvement manifesting mainly as AFP and seizure episodes. We recommend screening for AIP in patients presenting with features of AFP along with any combination of clinical/laboratory manifestations such as abdominal pain, seizure, encephalopathy, autonomic hyperactivity, passage of dark urine, and hyponatremia. Electrolyte abnormality in the form of hyponatremia was an important severity marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susheel Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ashish Bhalla
- Department of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Navneet Sharma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Deba Prasad Dhibar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Savita Kumari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Subhash Varma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Olivier P, Van Melkebeke D, Honoré PJ, Defreyne L, Hemelsoet D. Cerebral vasospasm in acute porphyria. Eur J Neurol 2017; 24:1183-1187. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.13347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Olivier
- Ghent University Hospital; Ghent Belgium
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Conway AJ, Brown FC, Fullinfaw RO, Kile BT, Jane SM, Curtis DJ. A mouse model of hereditary coproporphyria identified in an ENU mutagenesis screen. Dis Model Mech 2017; 10:1005-1013. [PMID: 28600349 PMCID: PMC5560062 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.029116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A genome-wide ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis screen in mice was performed to identify novel regulators of erythropoiesis. Here, we describe a mouse line, RBC16, which harbours a dominantly inherited mutation in the Cpox gene, responsible for production of the haem biosynthesis enzyme, coproporphyrinogen III oxidase (CPOX). A premature stop codon in place of a tryptophan at amino acid 373 results in reduced mRNA expression and diminished protein levels, yielding a microcytic red blood cell phenotype in heterozygous mice. Urinary and faecal porphyrins in female RBC16 heterozygotes were significantly elevated compared with that of wild-type littermates, particularly coproporphyrinogen III, whereas males were biochemically normal. Attempts to induce acute porphyric crises were made using fasting and phenobarbital treatment on females. While fasting had no biochemical effect on RBC16 mice, phenobarbital caused significant elevation of faecal coproporphyrinogen III in heterozygous mice. This is the first known investigation of a mutagenesis mouse model with genetic and biochemical parallels to hereditary coproporphyria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlee J Conway
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University and Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne 3004, Australia
| | - Fiona C Brown
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University and Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne 3004, Australia
| | - Robert O Fullinfaw
- Porphyria Reference Laboratory, Biochemistry Department, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville 3050, Australia
| | - Benjamin T Kile
- ACRF Chemical Biology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Australia
| | - Stephen M Jane
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University and Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne 3004, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia
| | - David J Curtis
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University and Clinical Haematology, Alfred Health, Melbourne 3004, Australia
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Schulenburg-Brand D, Gardiner T, Guppy S, Rees DC, Stein P, Barth J, Felicity Stewart M, Badminton M. An Audit of the Use of Gonadorelin Analogues to Prevent Recurrent Acute Symptoms in Patients with Acute Porphyria in the United Kingdom. JIMD Rep 2017; 36:99-107. [PMID: 28220410 DOI: 10.1007/8904_2017_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe recurrent acute attacks of porphyria have traditionally been treated with either prophylactic human haemin or gonadorelin analogues (GnA) in females. Evidence on the most effective treatment for this patient subgroup is lacking. This audit surveyed the use of prophylactic GnA in the UK.Twenty female patients (who experienced between 2 and 45 acute attacks of porphyria requiring hospitalisation and treatment with human haemin prior to GnA prophylaxis) were included in the audit. Data was retrospectively collected based on patient history and case review.Twenty three treatment courses were given lasting a median period of 12 months. Monthly subcutaneous Goserelin was most commonly used. In three patients in whom timing with the menstrual cycle was not considered, an acute attack occurred after initiation of the first dose. The majority of patients experienced oestrogen deficiency symptoms during treatment. Fifty percent of the prescribed courses of GnA resulted in a degree of clinical benefit. This successfully treated group experienced between 3 and 20 acute attacks prior to and between 0 and 6 acute attacks during GnA treatment.The audit revealed large variation in practice in the United Kingdom regarding indication, duration of treatment, specific drug used and management of side effects. In view of the limited treatment options available for this cohort and the mixed outcome successes reported, we believe it is reasonable for porphyria specialists to continue offering GnA treatment to women with severe recurrent debilitating acute attacks of porphyria associated with the menstrual cycle, and we propose best practice guidelines to standardise management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danja Schulenburg-Brand
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK.
| | - Tricia Gardiner
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK
| | - Simon Guppy
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, SE5 9RS, UK
| | - David C Rees
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, SE5 9RS, UK
| | - Penelope Stein
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, SE5 9RS, UK
| | - Julian Barth
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, LS1 3EX, UK
| | - M Felicity Stewart
- Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, University of Manchester, Salford, M6 8HD, UK
| | - Michael Badminton
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK
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Abstract
Acute porphyrias are rare inherited disorders due to deficiencies of haem synthesis enzymes. To date, all UK cases have been one of the three autosomal dominant forms, although penetrance is low and most gene carriers remain asymptomatic. Clinical presentation is typically with acute neurovisceral attacks characterised by severe abdominal pain, vomiting, tachycardia and hypertension. Severe attacks may be complicated by hyponatraemia, peripheral neuropathy sometimes causing paralysis, seizures and psychiatric features. Attacks are triggered by prescribed drugs, alcohol, hormonal changes, fasting or stress. The diagnosis is made by finding increased porphobilinogen excretion in a light-protected random urine sample. Management includes administration of intravenous human haemin and supportive treatment with non-porphyrinogenic drugs. A few patients develop recurrent attacks, a chronic illness requiring specialist management. Late complications include chronic pain, hepatocellular carcinoma, chronic renal failure and hypertension. In the UK, the National Acute Porphyria Service provides clinical advice and supplies haemin when indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penelope E Stein
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Michael N Badminton
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - David C Rees
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, UK
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Menopausale Hormontherapie bei internistischen Erkrankungen. GYNAKOLOGISCHE ENDOKRINOLOGIE 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10304-016-0090-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Ahangari A, Bäckström T, Innala E, Andersson C, Turkmen S. Acute intermittent porphyria symptoms during the menstrual cycle. Intern Med J 2016; 45:725-31. [PMID: 25871503 DOI: 10.1111/imj.12784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), a life-threatening form of the disease, is accompanied by several pain, mental and physical symptoms. AIMS In this study, we evaluated the cyclicity of AIP and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms in 32 women with DNA-diagnosed AIP during their menstrual cycles, in northern Sweden. METHODS The cyclicity of AIP symptoms and differences in them between the follicular and luteal phases, and the cyclicity of each symptom in each individual woman in different phases of her menstrual cycle were analysed with a prospective daily rating questionnaire. PMS symptoms were also evaluated in the patients on a daily rating scale. RESULTS Of the 32 women, 30 showed significant cyclicity in at least one AIP or PMS symptom (P < 0.05-0.001). Back pain (10/32) was the most frequent AIP pain symptom and sweet craving (10/15) was the most frequent PMS symptom. Pelvic pain (F = 4.823, P = 0.036), irritability (F = 7.399, P = 0.011), cheerfulness (F = 5.563, P = 0.025), sexual desire (F = 8.298, P = 0.007), friendliness (F = 6.157, P = 0.019), breast tenderness (F = 21.888, P = 0.000) and abdominal swelling (F = 16.982, P = 0.000) showed significant cyclicity. Pelvic pain and abdominal swelling (rs = 0.337, P < 0.001) showed the strongest correlation. The age of women with latent AIP was strongly correlated with abdominal swelling during the luteal phase (rs = 0.493, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the symptoms of AIP patients change during their menstrual cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ahangari
- Department of Clinical Science, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - T Bäckström
- Department of Clinical Science, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - E Innala
- Department of Clinical Science, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - C Andersson
- Department of Clinical Science, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - S Turkmen
- Department of Clinical Science, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Pischik E, Kauppinen R. An update of clinical management of acute intermittent porphyria. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2015; 8:201-14. [PMID: 26366103 PMCID: PMC4562648 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s48605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is due to a deficiency of the third enzyme, the hydroxymethylbilane synthase, in heme biosynthesis. It manifests with occasional neuropsychiatric crises associated with overproduction of porphyrin precursors, aminolevulinic acid and porphobilinogen. The clinical criteria of an acute attack include the paroxysmal nature and various combinations of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, autonomic dysfunction, hyponatremia, muscle weakness, or mental symptoms, in the absence of other obvious causes. Intensive abdominal pain without peritoneal signs, acute peripheral neuropathy, and encephalopathy usually with seizures or psychosis are the key symptoms indicating possible acute porphyria. More than fivefold elevation of urinary porphobilinogen excretion together with typical symptoms of an acute attack is sufficient to start a treatment. Currently, the prognosis of the patients with AIP is good, but physicians should be aware of a potentially fatal outcome of the disease. Mutation screening and identification of type of acute porphyria can be done at the quiescent phase of the disease. The management of patients with AIP include following strategies: A, during an acute attack: 1) treatment with heme preparations, if an acute attack is severe or moderate; 2) symptomatic treatment of autonomic dysfunctions, polyneuropathy and encephalopathy; 3) exclusion of precipitating factors; and 4) adequate nutrition and fluid therapy. B, during remission: 1) exclusion of precipitating factors (education of patients and family doctors), 2) information about on-line drug lists, and 3) mutation screening for family members and education about precipitating factors in mutation-positive family members. C, management of patients with recurrent attacks: 1) evaluation of the lifestyle, 2) evaluation of hormonal therapy in women, 3) prophylactic heme therapy, and 4) liver transplantation in patients with severe recurrent attacks. D, follow-up of the AIP patients for long-term complications: chronic hypertension, chronic kidney insufficiency, chronic pain syndrome, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Pischik
- Porphyria Research Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University Central Hospital of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland ; Department of Neurology, Consultative and Diagnostic Centre with Polyclinics, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Raili Kauppinen
- Porphyria Research Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University Central Hospital of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Carvajal A, Sáinz M, Velasco V, García Ortega P, Treceño C, Martín Arias LH, Pellón M, García Sevillano L. Emergency contraceptive pill safety profile. Comparison of the results of a follow-up study to those coming from spontaneous reporting. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2014; 24:93-7. [PMID: 25408302 DOI: 10.1002/pds.3725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Revised: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) containing levonorgestrel is dispensed without a prescription in Spain since 2009. An easy access could diminish unwanted pregnancies; however, there is a risk of misuse and, in any case, of developing some adverse events. The aim of the present study is to further learn the adverse effects of this ECP. METHODS An ad hoc follow-up study was carried out in three community pharmacies in a city of Central Spain; the sample was composed of those women asking for the ECP; they were interviewed by telephone after at least a month since the last menses. We completed the safety profile obtained with that coming from spontaneous reporting in Spain. RESULTS Out of 139 women surveyed, 113 developed any adverse event--two considered as severe; the most frequently reported events were menstrual disturbances, which accounted for 21% of all events. Through spontaneous reporting, 36 cases of whatever adverse events related to levonorgestrel as ECP were identified. Twenty-five cases were considered as severe. Both types of reaction and severity were significantly different in the follow-up study and in the spontaneous reporting. Some of the reactions identified, such as miscarriage, febrile neutropenia, and porphyria, are not included in the Summary of Product Characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Levonorgestrel as an ECP is mostly safe. Attention should be paid to some severe events and particularly to those risk factors for them to appear. Combining spontaneous reporting with an ad hoc follow-up study, the whole safety profile of a given medication can be obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Carvajal
- Centro de Estudios sobre la Seguridad de los Medicamentos (CESME), Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
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Tracy JA, Dyck PJB. Porphyria and its neurologic manifestations. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2014; 120:839-49. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-7020-4087-0.00056-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Dos Santos ARR, De Albuquerque RR, Doriqui MJR, Costa GC, Dos Santos APSA. Biochemical and hematological analysis in acute intermittent porphyria (AIP): a case report. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2013; 85:1207-14. [PMID: 24068100 DOI: 10.1590/s0001-37652013000300019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute intermittent porphyria is the most common acute porphyria caused by a decrease in hepatic porphobilinogen deaminase activity, resulting in an accumulation of delta-aminolevulinic acid and porphobilinogen. This disease shows nonspecific signs and symptoms that can be confused with other diseases, thereby making the diagnosis difficult. We report a case of acute intermittent porphyria, reviewing clinical and laboratory aspects, highlighting the hematological and biochemical parameters during and after the crisis. A female patient, aged 28 years, suffered two crises, both presenting gastrointestinal disorders. The second presented neuropsychiatric symptoms. The analysis of hematological and biochemical parameters during the second crisis showed anemia, leukocytosis, hyponatremia, mild hypokalemia, uremia and elevated C-reactive protein. The initial treatment included glucose infusion, a diet rich in carbohydrates and interruption of porphyrinogenic drugs. Subsequently, treatment was maintained with oral contraceptive use. According to the observed data, signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal, neurological and psychiatric disorders, associated with laboratory results presented in this paper can be applied to screen acute porphyria, contributing to early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R R Dos Santos
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Avenida dos Portugueses, 1966, Bacanga, 65085-580 São Luís, MA, Brasil
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INNALA EVA, BÄCKSTRÖM TORBJÖRN, POROMAA INGERSUNDSTRÖM, ANDERSSON CHRISTER, BIXO MARIE. Women with acute intermittent porphyria have a defect in 5α-steroid production during the menstrual cycle. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2012; 91:1445-52. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0412.2012.01536.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Treatment options in acute porphyria, porphyria cutanea tarda, and erythropoietic protoporphyria. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 10:444-55. [PMID: 18221605 DOI: 10.1007/s11938-007-0044-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The porphyrias are a group of uncommon metabolic diseases caused by enzyme deficiencies within heme biosynthesis that lead to neurotoxic or phototoxic heme precursor accumulation. There are four acute porphyrias characterized by neuropsychiatric symptoms: acute intermittent porphyria, variegate porphyria, hereditary coproporphyria, and 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency porphyria. Treatment includes elimination of any porphyrogenic factor and symptomatic treatment. Carbohydrate and intravenous heme administration constitute specific therapies in the disorders' acute phase. The mainstay treatment in the cutaneous porphyrias is avoidance of sunlight exposure. In porphyria cutanea tarda and the two acute porphyrias with skin manifestations, variegate porphyria and hereditary coproporphyria, care of the vulnerable skin is important. In porphyria cutanea tarda, specific treatment is accomplished by a series of phlebotomies and/or by low-dose chloroquine administration. In erythropoietic protoporphyria, light-protective beta-carotene is prescribed.
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Tollånes MC, Aarsand AK, Sandberg S. Excess risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with porphyria: a population-based cohort study. J Inherit Metab Dis 2011; 34:217-23. [PMID: 20978938 PMCID: PMC3026662 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-010-9231-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2010] [Revised: 10/01/2010] [Accepted: 10/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The porphyrias comprise a heterogeneous group of rare, primarily hereditary, metabolic diseases caused by a partial deficiency in one of the eight enzymes involved in the heme biosynthesis. Our aim was to assess whether acute or cutaneous porphyria has been associated with excess risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. A population-based cohort study was designed by record linkage between the Norwegian Porphyria Register, covering 70% of all known porphyria patients in Norway, and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, based on all births in Norway during 1967-2006. The risks of the adverse pregnancy outcomes preeclampsia, delivery by caesarean section, low birth weight, premature delivery, small for gestational age (SGA), perinatal death, and congenital malformations were compared between porphyric mothers and the rest of the population. The 200 mothers with porphyria had 398 singletons during the study period, whereas the 1,100,391 mothers without porphyria had 2,275,317 singletons. First-time mothers with active acute porphyria had an excess risk of perinatal death [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 4.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-16.0], as did mothers with the hereditable form of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) (3.0, 1.2-7.7). Sporadic PCT was associated with an excess risk of SGA [adjusted relative risk (RR) 2.0, 1.2-3.4], and for first-time mothers, low birth weight (adjusted OR 3.4, 1.2-10.0) and premature delivery (3.5, 1.2-10.5) in addition. The findings suggest women with porphyria should be monitored closely during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Christophersen Tollånes
- The Norwegian Porphyria Centre (NAPOS), Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
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Masuda T, Ota R, Ando T, Maeda N, Horie Y, Yoshimura T, Motomura M, Kawakami A. False-positive accumulation of metaiodobenzylguanidine in a case with acute intermittent porphyria. Intern Med 2011; 50:1029-32. [PMID: 21532227 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.50.5096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a 36-year-old woman presenting with hypertensive encephalopathy followed by bulbar palsy and quadriplegia. After an extensive screening for secondary causes of hypertension, the patient was suspected of having pheochromocytoma due to increased levels of catecholamines in the plasma and the urine, and positive (131)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) accumulation in the gallbladder. However, MIBG accumulation was not reproducible without any tumors accompanying this accumulation in the gallbladder. A diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria was finally confirmed based on the characteristic pictures, increased urinary excretion of porphobilinogen, and identification of a heterozygous missense mutation of R173W in the hydroxymethylbilane synthase gene. This case highlights a pitfall in utilizing MIBG to detect a source of excessive catecholamine and also suggests the importance of having a complete clinical history and extensive work-up of any possible differential diagnosis. We also review the potential mechanism by which false-positive MIBG accumulation occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Masuda
- The First Department of Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
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Siegesmund M, van Tuyll van Serooskerken AM, Poblete-Gutiérrez P, Frank J. The acute hepatic porphyrias: current status and future challenges. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2010; 24:593-605. [PMID: 20955962 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2010.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2010] [Revised: 08/26/2010] [Accepted: 08/28/2010] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The porphyrias are predominantly inherited metabolic disorders, which result from a specific deficiency of one of the eight enzymes along the pathway of haem biosynthesis. Historically, they have been classified into hepatic and erythropoietic forms, based on the primary site of expression of the prevailing dysfunctional enzyme. From a clinical point of view, however, it is more convenient to subdivide them into acute and non-acute porphyrias, thereby primarily considering the potential occurrence of life-threatening acute neurovisceral attacks. Unrecognised or untreated, such an acute porphyric attack is associated with a significant mortality of up to 10%. The acute hepatic porphyrias comprise acute intermittent porphyria, variegate porphyria, hereditary coproporphyria, and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency porphyria. Making a precise diagnosis may be difficult because the different types of porphyrias may show overlapping clinical and biochemical characteristics. To date, the therapeutic possibilities are limited and mainly symptomatic. In this overview we report on what is currently known about pathogenesis, clinic, diagnostics, and therapy of the acute hepatic porphyrias. We further point out actual and future challenges in the management of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Siegesmund
- Department of Dermatology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Abstract
Hereditary porphyrias are a group of eight metabolic disorders of the haem biosynthesis pathway that are characterised by acute neurovisceral symptoms, skin lesions, or both. Every porphyria is caused by abnormal function of a separate enzymatic step, resulting in a specific accumulation of haem precursors. Seven porphyrias are the result of a partial enzyme deficiency, and a gain of function mechanism has been characterised in a new porphyria. Acute porphyrias present with acute attacks, typically consisting of severe abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, confusion, and seizure, and can be life-threatening. Cutaneous porphyrias present with either acute painful photosensitivity or skin fragility and blisters. Rare recessive porphyrias usually manifest in early childhood with either severe cutaneous photosensitivity and chronic haemolysis or chronic neurological symptoms with or without photosensitivity. Porphyrias are still underdiagnosed, but when they are suspected, and dependent on clinical presentation, simple first-line tests can be used to establish the diagnosis in all symptomatic patients. Diagnosis is essential to enable specific treatments to be started as soon as possible. Screening of families to identify presymptomatic carriers is crucial to decrease risk of overt disease of acute porphyrias through counselling about avoidance of potential precipitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Puy
- Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre Français des Porphyries, Hôpital Louis Mourier, Colombes, France
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49
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Bylesjö I, Wikberg A, Andersson C. Clinical aspects of acute intermittent porphyria in northern Sweden: a population-based study. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 2009; 69:612-8. [PMID: 19401933 DOI: 10.1080/00365510902935979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to update the clinical issues of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), as they have not been in focus for years, and to be aware of potentially associated disorders and social consequences. A total of 356 gene carriers of AIP from northern Sweden participated in this retrospective population-based study. Eight mutations were found with a predominance of W198X (89%). Clinical manifestations of AIP (manifest AIP) were identified in 42%, 65% were women. Women were more severely stricken by AIP attacks concerning number and duration, hospital admission and early onset. Men reporting most attacks were > 40 years of age. In addition to traditional symptoms during attacks, fatigue was commonly described. Chronic AIP symptoms and disability pension due to AIP were reported in about 20% of subjects. Precipitating factors were reported with evident sex differences. Half of the gene carriers who were on medications used drugs considered not safe (in 1999), mainly antihypertensive drugs. Smoking was associated with high AIP attack frequency. Elevated levels of ALT, bile acids, creatinine, U-ALA and U-PBG and decreased levels of creatinine clearance were associated with manifest AIP. The same was true for hypertension and myalgia in the legs. Hepatoma was strikingly overrepresented. The high prevalence of manifest AIP in this study could be explained by a mutation-dependent penetrance. Our results emphasize the importance of early diagnosis, counselling and treatment of attacks, screening and treatment of associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingemar Bylesjö
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden.
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50
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Spritzer PM, Wender MCO. [Hormone therapy in menopause: when not to use]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 51:1058-63. [PMID: 18157379 DOI: 10.1590/s0004-27302007000700006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2007] [Accepted: 07/02/2007] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menses, as a result of the loss of ovarian follicular function or of surgical removal of ovaries. The mean age for occurrence of natural menopause is around 50 years. Estrogen deficiency has been associated with vasomotor symptoms, urogenital atrophy, and cognitive impairment, as well as increased risk of chronic degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. Estrogen therapy remains the most effective treatment for the management of vasomotor symptoms and urogenital atrophy. Progesterone or progestins should be added to estrogen treatment in women with uterus, in order to antagonize the estrogen-induced endometrial proliferation. In turn, in specific clinical conditions hormone therapy is not recommended. In the present article, the authors critically focus these clinical conditions in which hormone therapy should not be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poli Mara Spritzer
- Unidade de Endocrinologia Ginecológica, Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, Porto Alegre, RS.
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