Muscle-tendon weakness contributes to chronic fatigue syndrome in Gaucher's disease

Measuring health related quality of life (HRQoL) in Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs): a rapid scoping review of available tools and domains

BACKGROUND

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are a group of rare inherited metabolic disorders, consisting of over 70 diseases that are characterised by lysosomal dysfunction. Due to their varied and progressive symptoms, LSDs have a continual impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Several recently published studies have provided insight into the HRQoL of individuals with LSDs. However, it is challenging to meaningfully synthesise this evidence, since studies often focus upon a particular type of LSD and / or utilise different self-report questionnaires or patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to assess HRQoL.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to review the published literature in LSDs, to identify the PROMs which have been used to assess HRQoL and generate a conceptual map of HRQoL domains measured in individuals diagnosed with LSDs.

METHODS

Three electronic databases were searched in March 2022. Primary studies of any design which utilised multi-item PROMs to assess at least one aspect of HRQoL in individuals with LSDs since 2017 were identified. Data were extracted to assess both the characteristics of each study and of the PROMs utilised within each study. The extraction of HRQoL domains and synthesis were informed by an a priori framework, inductively modified to reflect data emerging from the identified literature. Selection and extraction was undertaken independently by two reviewers; discrepancies were ratified by a third reviewer.

RESULTS

Sixty nine studies were identified which were published 2017-2022, with a combined total of 52 PROMs (71 variants) used to assess HRQoL in individuals with LSDs. The final extracted HRQoL framework included 7 domains (Activities; Physical sensations; Autonomy; Cognition; Feelings and emotions; Self-identity; Relationships), characterised by 37 sub-domains.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the breadth and variety of HRQoL domains assessed in individuals with LSDs, across three broad domains of physical, psychological and social functioning. The resultant framework and mapped PROMs will aid researchers and clinicians in the selection of PROMs to assess aspects of HRQoL in people living with LSDs, based on their conceptual coverage.

Patient-reported outcomes in Gaucher's disease: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Gaucher's disease (GD), a rare condition, represents the most common lysosomal storage disorder. The cardinal manifestations of GD are fatigue, hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, bone pain, and bone infarction, thereby culminating in a marked deterioration of patients' quality of life (QoL). Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) offer valuable insights into the impact of GD on patients' QoL and symptoms. This systematic review aimed to identify and analyze PROs and outcome measures in GD patients.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science Core Collections, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Wan Fang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM). The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using a mixed methods assessment tool.

RESULTS

A total of 33 studies were identified, encompassing 24 distinct patient-reported outcome instruments, with the most frequently employed instrument being the SF-36. The study designs included eighteen cross-sectional studies, seven pre- and post-intervention investigations, three randomized controlled trials, two cohort studies, two qualitative inquiries, and one validation study. These studies explored diverse domains such as the QoL and cardinal symptoms (e.g., fatigue, pain, bleeding, cognition, social relationships, and psychological functioning) in patients with GD. Furthermore, significant attention was directed towards the appraisal of the therapeutic benefits of various interventions in patients with GD. A novel GD-specific instrument has also been developed, which has two applied versions: a 24-item variant for routine clinical monitoring and a 17-item form for use in clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

PROs have garnered increased attention and concern in the realm of GD. Despite this progress, it is noteworthy that the instruments used to measure PROs in GD are still predominantly generic instruments. While researchers have endeavored to develop and validate a disease-specific instrument, currently the use of this instrument is limited. Owing to several challenges, including the small number of patients, heterogeneity of the disease, and cross-regional discrepancies in study findings, GD poses substantial difficulties in the measurement of QoL and development of instruments. Consequently, patients with GD require more dependable measurement instruments that accurately reflect their QoL, efficacy of treatment, and facilitate healthcare decision-making.

A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study of Non-Splenectomized and Never-Treated Patients with Type 1 Gaucher Disease

Patients with type 1 Gaucher disease (GD1) present thrombocytopenia, anemia, organomegaly, and bone complications. Most experts consider that the less aggressive forms do not require specific treatment. However, little is known about the disease course of these forms. The objective of this cross-sectional retrospective study was to compare the clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics of patients with less severe GD1 at diagnosis and at the last evaluation to identify features that might lead to potential complications. Non-splenectomized and never-treated patients (19 women and 17 men) were identified in the French Gaucher Disease Registry (FGDR). Their median age was 36.6 years (2.4–75.1), and their median follow-up was 7.8 years (0.4–32.4). Moreover, 38.7% were heterozygous for the GBA1 N370S variant, and 22.6% for the GBA1 L444P variant. From diagnosis to the last evaluation, GD1 did not worsen in 75% of these patients. Some parameters improved (fatigue and hemoglobin concentration), whereas platelet count and chitotriosidase level remained stable. In one patient (2.7%), Lewy body dementia was diagnosed at 46 years of age. Bone lesion onset was late and usually a single event in most patients. This analysis highlights the genotypic heterogeneity of this subgroup, in which disease could remain stable and even improve spontaneously. It also draws attention to the possible risk of Lewy body disease and late onset of bone complications, even if isolated, to be confirmed in larger series and with longer follow-up.