Fabry’s Disease is an inherited disorder, meaning it runs in families.
In this disease state, the body is unable to break down fatty substances called lipids due to missing or faulty enzymes. The enzyme associated with Fabry’s disease is called Alpha-Galactosidase A, which is located inside an intracellular organelle known as the lysosome. As a result of the enzyme deficiency, lipids are not removed from the blood and build up in the body, leading to multiple organ dysfunction.
This is why Fabry’s disease is called a lysosomal storage disease.
Fabry’s disease is a genetic disorder that can be passed down from parents.
The affected gene is on the X-chromosome, which is one of the two chromosomes that determine an individual's sex.
Although Fabry's disease is more common in men (since they have one X chromosome) than women (since they have two X chromosomes), women can still have the entire disease spectrum from being completely asymptomatic to having severe manifestations.
Fabry disease is Pan-ethnic, but due to its rarity, determining the disease accurate frequency is difficult.
Reported incidence is 1/47,600 to 1/117,000 in the general population, but the true prevalence is much higher, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease & those on kidney dialysis.
So, even though Fabry's disease is a rare disease, it is more common than we think.
Fabry’s disease can lead to more serious problems as well, including:
Atypical (later-onset) variants— Patients with atypical, "later-onset" variants of Fabry disease usually present later in life (third to seventh decades of life) than those with the classic form of the disease, They have residual alpha-Gal A activity, and may not have Gb3 accumulation in capillaries and small blood vessels. Most do not display the classical features of Fabry disease, and their disease is typically dominated by a particular organ system, most commonly the heart. The diagnosis is often made incidentally during an evaluation of unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, arrhythmias, proteinuria, renal failure, or stroke of unknown cause.
People who suffer from Fabry’s disease may have symptoms for years before being diagnosed. Sometimes, patients get a wrong diagnosis due to the complexity of the disease. It is important to ask your physician to get tested for Fabry’s disease if you have a family history. A simple blood test to measure the levels of the enzyme (alpha-Gal A), or even a DNA test, can confirm the diagnosis.
Fabry’s disease is a multi-systemic disease, meaning it affects several systems of the body. Thus, Fabry management requires a multidisciplinary, expert team. The most common treatment is Enzyme Replacement Therapy, which aims to replace what the body is lacking. In this case, the body is lacking functional alpha-Gal A enzyme. The treatment is given in the form of bi-weekly infusions. Also, new oral medications (Chaperone therapy) can be administered for specific mutations. However, patients also require a comprehensive therapeutic approach from an expert team. The core team involved in the management of Fabry’s disease usually includes a kidney doctor, a heart specialist, and a pain management specialist. Other doctors, including a digestive and lung disease specialist may be involved in the management as well.
Typically, physicians recommend the following:
Can Fabry’s disease be prevented?
Fabry’s disease is inherited, so it cannot be prevented. However, early diagnosis and an experienced, multidisciplinary medical team can provide the necessary care to slow down the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life in patients suffering from Fabry’s disease. Patients are always advised to keep a detailed list of symptoms experienced and discuss it with their physician.
Learn more about Fabry's Disease from Dr. Anjay Rastogi's Fabry's Webinar.
♦ Fabry's Disease Clinical Program
Disclaimer: The UCLA Health System cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information. The information is provided without warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please speak to your Physician before making any changes.
