Autonomic involvement in Wilson's disease: a study of sympathetic skin response and RR interval variation

Wilson's Disease

Wilson's disease (WD) can present with liver disease, neurological deficits, and psychiatric disorders. Results of genetic prevalence studies suggest that WD might be much more common than previously estimated. Early recognition of WD remains challenging because it is a great imitator and requires a high index of suspicion for correct and timely diagnosis. Early diagnosis of WD is crucial to ensure that patients can be started on adequate treatment. In association with other clinical and biochemical tests, liver biopsy results and molecular genetic testing can also be used for diagnosing WD. Medical therapy is effective for most patients; liver transplant can rescue those with acute liver failure or those with advanced liver disease who fail to respond to or discontinue medical therapy. Although novel therapies, such as gene therapy, are on the horizon, screening and prevention of delayed diagnosis remains paramount.

Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in Wilson's disease - A systematic literature review

INTRODUCTION

In Wilson's disease (WD), copper accumulation can result in neurological manifestations, particularly extrapyramidal symptoms. There are some data that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) may also be affected, and we aimed to systematically review available studies evaluating ANS dysfunction in WD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of the literature using the PubMed database (up to 31st August 2020), with search terms including "autonomic" and "function" and "Wilson's disease".

RESULTS

Fourteen studies, including 297 patients with neurological, hepatic or psychiatric forms of WD were retrieved. The most frequent methods used for ANS evaluation were orthostatic tests, which were performed in seven studies, with a number of other tests less frequently used. The incidence of ANS abnormalities ranged from ~8% to 79.2%, depending on the evaluation method. ANS abnormalities in patients with WD were often clinically asymptomatic. The features of dysautonomia were more common among patients with neurological symptoms and ANS abnormalities were more common in patients with severe brain injury. Studies confirmed both sympathetic and parasympathetic ANS impairment. The pathophysiology of ANS damage was not clear but may result from central, peripheral nervous system and direct cardiac involvement. Clear improvements were observed in four studies after anti-copper therapy initiation.

CONCLUSION

Both sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS may be affected in WD. The observed ambiguities regarding ANS abnormalities in WD patients may arise from small study groups, differences in methodology, and a lack of comprehensive ANS evaluation; however, the results indicate that further studies are warranted.

Cardiac and autonomic function in patients with Wilson's disease

Background

The clinical effect of copper accumulation on the heart of patients suffering from Wilson’s disease (WD) is not completely understood. We aimed to determine if patients with WD show signs of cardiac involvement, structural heart disease or autonomic dysfunction. In this prospective trial, we studied 61 patients (mean age 44.3 ± 15.2 years, 51% males) with WD and compared them to 61 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent clinical examination, blood tests, echocardiography and 24 h electrocardiographic (ECG) recording.

Results

Left- and right ventricular systolic function did not differ significantly between WD patients and controls. However, 5 of the 61 patients had a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Furthermore, diastolic dysfunction was more prevalent in WD patients (9 of 61 vs. 0 of 61, p = 0.001).

The severity of WD based on the Unified Wilson’s Disease Rating Scale was significantly correlated to NT-pro BNP (r = 0.34, P = 0.013). Patients with an exacerbation of WD in medical history had higher troponin levels compared to those without (11.3 ± 4.7 vs 4.6 ± 1.2).

The autonomic function assessed by triangular index (TI) and SDNN-index was significantly reduced in WD patients compared to controls in most in almost every age category (p-value TI and SDNN: age 20–29, p < 0.001 and 0.05; age 30–39, p < 0.01 and not significant (ns); age 40–49, p < 0,01 and 0.001; age 50–59, p = ns and < 0.001, age 60–70, p < 0.05 and ns).

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that cardiac involvement and autonomic dysfunction in WD is possible, however the underlying cause is still not known. We suggest that patients with signs and symptoms of structural heart disease should be examined by a cardiologist in addition to the interdisciplinary treatment team of WD.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-019-1007-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

QTc ınterval is prolonged in Wilson's disease with neurologic ınvolvement

Background Neurologic and liver involvement in Wilson's disease (WD) is well-documented, however, few reports demonstrated cardiac involvement. Tpe and Tpe/QT are new measures of ventricular repolarization which were recently suggested as predictor of arrythmogenesis. We aimed to evaluate ventricular depolarization and repolarization parameters including QT, QTc, Tpe intervals, Tpe/QT, Tpe/QTc ratios, and QT dispersion (QTd) in patients with WD. Materials and methods Thirty-five patients with WD and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Patients were evaluated by a neurologist in addition to MR imaging. Twenty-one of 35 patients were diagnosed as neuroWilson (NW), whereas 14 patients as non-NW. ECG recordings were obtained using a 12-lead commercial device (Cardiac Science, Burdick s500,USA). All patients underwent standard echocardiographic evaluation. These two groups of patients and healthy controls were compared. Results There were no difference between patients with WD and healthy controls in terms of age sex, BMI, liver, and kidney functions where as patients with WD were anemic and thrombocytopenic. Left atrial, ventricular dimensions, left ventricular systolic, and diastolic functions were similar between patients and healthy control. QT interval was prolonged in patient group, however, QTc, Tpe intervals, Tpe/QT, and Tpe/QTc ratios and QTd did not differ between groups. When patients with NW and non-NW were compared, both QT and QTc intervals were significantly longer in patients with NW, however, Tpe interval, Tpe/QT and Tpe/QTc ratios, and QTd did not differ. Conclusion QT and QTc intervals are prolonged in patients with Wilson's disease and neurologic involvement.

Wilson disease: neurologic features

Wilson disease (WD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, which presents as a spectrum of neurologic manifestations that includes tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, dystonia, chorea, dysarthria, and dysphagia, together with a combination of neurologic symptoms that can easily lead to misdiagnosis. An early diagnosis of WD, and appropriate anticopper treatment, usually leads to a marked improvement in patient health. Conversely, delayed diagnosis can result in persistent pathology, which, left untreated, can ultimately prove lethal. The aim of this chapter is to present a detailed description of the neurologic features of WD, including their evaluation, together with relevant ophthalmologic examinations, brain neuroimaging, and other laboratory measurements that show the extent of the involvement of the nervous system.

Autonomic Dysfunction in Wilson's Disease: A Comprehensive Evaluation during a 3-Year Follow Up

Objectives: Wilson's disease is reported to have autonomic dysfunction, but comprehensive evaluation of autonomic function is lacking. Additionally, little is known about the change of autonomic function of Wilson's disease during continuous therapy. We assumed that patients with Wilson's disease had both sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic impairments, and the autonomic dysfunction might be stable across a 3-year follow-up after years of optimal treatment.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with Wilson's disease and twenty-six healthy controls were recruited. Twenty patients in the Wilson's disease group were examined again after a 3-year follow-up. All the participants were evaluated by a questionnaire on dysautonomia symptoms, 24-h blood pressure and heart rate monitoring, and cardiovascular autonomic function examination in various conditions including at rest, deep breathing, Valsalva maneuver, isometric handgrip test and passive tilting. Baroreflex sensitivity and spectral analyses were performed via trigonometric regressive spectral analysis.

Results: Patients with Wilson's disease showed autonomic dysfunction mainly in the following aspects: (1) the heart rate was higher than the controls. (2) Valsalva ratio was lower in patients with Wilson's disease compared with the controls. (3) Heart rate increase during isometric hand gripping was smaller in the Wilson's disease patients than the controls. (4) Baroreflex sensitivity was lower during nearly all the cardiovascular autonomic function examinations compared with healthy controls. When tested 3 years later, baroreflex sensitivity at rest decreased compared with baseline. (5) There were mild declines of resting DBP and low frequency component of heart rate variability during the follow-up examination compared with baseline. (6) Subgroup analysis showed that patients initially presenting with neurological symptoms had a higher night-time heart rate, lower expiration: inspiration RR interval ratio (E/I ratio), lower expiration: inspiration RR interval difference (E-I difference), less increase of heart rate and diastolic blood pressure during the handgrip test, and lower baroreflex sensitivity during deep breathing than the control group. (7) Correlation analysis showed that the severity of neurological symptoms was associated with E/I ratio, E-I difference, Valsalva ratio, heart rate change during the handgrip test, and baroreflex sensitivity during deep breathing.

Conclusions: The present study reveals cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction involving both sympathetic and parasympathetic branches in Wilson's disease patients, which is especially significant in the patients with neurological onset. Autonomic function is generally stable undergoing optimal maintenance treatment in patients with Wilson's disease. Though there might be mild changes of specific parameters.

Wilson disease in the South chinese han population

PURPOSE

to prospectively investigate the incidence and prevalence of Wilson disease (Wd) in Chinese han population in anhui province, to analyze the genetic mutations in individuals with Wd, and to provide basic epidemiological data regarding Wd in this Chinese han population.

METHODS

between november 2008 and June 2010, individuals aged from 7 to 75 years were screened for the cornea K-f ring in both eyes using slit lamp examination and random sampling methods based on age stratification and cluster level 1. the participants were from anhui province’s hanshan County, Jinzhai County, and lixin County. the clinical manifestations of the brain, liver, kidney, skin, and other organs in each individual were also determined. individuals with positive K-f rings and clinical manifestations indicative of Wd underwent copper biochemistry evaluations, abdominal ultrasound testing, and ATP7B gene mutation screening to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of Wd.

RESULTS

of 153,370 individuals investigated in this study, nine were diagnosed with Wd. in these Wd individuals, three cases had neurological symptoms, one has hepatic symptoms, one was hepatic and neurological combined, and the other four cases were presymptomatic. of the eight individuals in whom genetic mutations were detected, seven individuals had mutations in the ATP7B gene. the other individual had no ATP7B gene mutations but her copper biochemical test results met the diagnostic criteria for Wd. the incidence and prevalence of Wd in this population were approximately 1.96/100,000 and 5.87/100,000 respectively.

CONCLUSION

the Chinese han population had a higher average prevalence of Wd than the populations of the united States or europe.

Small fiber dysfunction in patients with Wilson's disease

Objective: Patients with Wilson’s disease (WD) may develop a wide variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms, but there are few reports of autonomic dysfunction. Here, we described evidence of small fiber and/or autonomic dysfunction in 4 patients with WD and levodopa-responsive parkinsonism. Method: We reviewed the charts of 4 patients with WD who underwent evaluation for the presence of neuromuscular dysfunction and water-induced skin wrinkling test (SWT). Results: Two men and 2 women (33±3.5 years) with WD were evaluated. They all had parkinsonism at some point during their disease course. Parkinsonism on patient 4 almost completely subsided with treatment of WD. Two patients had significant sensory and 2 significant autonomic complaints, including syncopal spells. NCS/EMG was normal in all but SWT was abnormal in half of them (mean 4-digit wrinkling of 0.25 and 1). Discussion: A subset of patients with WD exhibit evidence of abnormal skin wrinkling test (small fiber neuropathy).

Wilson's disease

In the almost 100 years since Wilson's description of the illness that now bears his name, tremendous advances have been made in our understanding of this disorder. The genetic basis for Wilson's disease - mutation within the ATP7B gene - has been identified. The pathophysiologic basis for the damage resulting from the inability to excrete copper via the biliary system with its consequent gradual accumulation, first in the liver and ultimately in the brain and other organs and tissues, is now known. This has led to the development of effective diagnostic and treatment modalities that, although they may not eliminate the disorder, do provide the means for efficient diagnosis and effective amelioration if carried out in a dedicated and persistent fashion. Nevertheless, Wilson's disease remains both a diagnostic and treatment challenge for physician and patient. Its protean clinical manifestations make diagnosis difficult. Appropriate diagnostic evaluations to confirm the diagnosis and institute treatment can be confusing. In this chapter, the clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment approaches for Wilson's disease are discussed.

Population-based epidemiologic study of Wilson's disease in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study is to investigate the epidemiology and medical expenses of Wilson's disease in Taiwan.

METHODS

Cases of Wilson's disease were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database with corresponding International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 275.1 from January 2000 to December 2005. Age and sex-specific incidences were estimated by dividing the incidence number by population data obtained from the Department of Statistics, Ministry of the Interior.

RESULTS

During the study period, 495 cases of Wilson's disease were identified. The male to female ratio was 1.28. The average annual incidence rate was 0.27 per 100,000, and the incidence rate peaked in the age group of 15-19 years. Most cases were juvenile and young adults. The prevalence increased steadily during the study period. Cirrhosis of the liver was the most common co-existing condition.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first population-based epidemiologic study of Wilson's disease in Taiwan. Because of the effective and affordable treatment, the prevalence of Wilson's disease in Taiwan is expected to increase continuously.

Cardiovascular and sudomotor autonomic dysfunction in Wilson's disease--limited correlation with clinical severity

BACKGROUND

Wilson's disease, a disorder of copper metabolism, results in abnormal accumulation of copper in liver, brain, kidney and cornea giving rise to protean manifestations. Wilson's disease predominantly affects the basal ganglia and brain stem nuclei which may cause autonomic dysfunction. Disturbances of autonomic nervous system have not received attention in Wilson's disease due to its rarity. The aim of this study was to evaluate autonomic cardiovascular reflexes in patients of Wilson's disease and to look for any relationship between autonomic nervous system disturbances and clinical severity of Wilson's disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cardiovascular autonomic reflexes were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically in 30 patients of Wilson's disease with neurological onset and compared with equal number of age and gender matched healthy controls.

RESULTS

Significantly abnormal response to the Valsalva maneuver and RR interval variation was seen in patients compared to controls (p<0.05). Latency for sympathetic skin response was also significantly (p<0.02) prolonged in patient group. No specific correlation with clinical severity of Wilson's disease and autonomic dysfunction could be established.

CONCLUSION

Autonomic dysfunction occurs in Wilson's disease and affects parasympathetic more than the sympathetic functions.

Sympathetic skin response and RR interval variation in patients with cardiac syndrome X

Sympathetic skin response (SSR) and R-R interval variation (RRIV) are noninvasive electrophysiological tests used in the assessment of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system function, respectively. Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is usually diagnosed in the presence of typical angina pectoris, a positive response to exercise testing, and normal-appearing coronary angiograms without spasm induced by hyperventilation or ergonovine. Alterations of autonomic nervous system control of cardiac function have been described in CSX. The aim of the study was to investigate autonomic nervous system function in patients with CSX. Nine patients with CSX (2 men, 7 women) and healthy controls (11 men, 19 women) were included in the study. SSRs were recorded from palm of hands by stimulation of the median nerve. RRIV recordings were taken from precordium during both rest position (R%) and deep inspiration of 6 times per minute (D%). In addition D% - R% and D%/R% values were calculated. SSR amplitude of CSX was lower than in controls (3.64 +/-4.78 vs 6.36 +/-3.4 mV, p = 0.017). There was no difference between groups for SSR latency values (CSX: 1,366 +/-99; controls: 1,383 +/-85 msec). Also, R% (CSX: 13.04 +/-6.3; controls: 12.92 +/-3.91) and D% (CSX: 16.63 +/-8.88; controls: 21.43 +/-7.3) values were similar in the 2 groups. However, D% - R% (CSX: 3.59 +/-10.11; controls: 8.51 +/-7.01) and D%/R% (CSX: 1.45 +/-0.93; controls: 1.78 +/-0.69) values were slightly lower in patients with CSX but were not statistically significant. A linear correlation was found between SSR amplitude and D%/R% (r = 0.336, p = 0.036). The authors conclude that, among patients with CSX, there are alterations of autonomic nervous control of skin as well as of other organs (ie, heart). SSR and RRIV testing can be done easily in the neurophysiology laboratory to assess the sympathetic and parasympathetic system, respectively.

Neurology of Fabry disease

BACKGROUND

Fabry disease has diverse neurological manifestations, many of which influence morbidity and quality of life.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to document the clinical and subclinical neurological manifestations in a cohort of Australian patients with Fabry disease, using multiple clinical tools and a multidisciplinary approach.

METHODS

Participants completed focused questionnaires and underwent clinical neurological examination, Neurocognitive testing using Mini Mental State Examination and Neuropsychiatry Unit Cognitive Screen, Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST), autonomic assessment using RR interval variation, intracranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and audiology. In subsets of patients who had previously undergone QST and/or prospective serial quality-of-life assessments over the previous 5 years, results before and after enzyme replacement therapy were compared.

RESULTS

Twenty hemizygotes and two heterozygotes were recruited. The age (mean +/- standard deviation (SD)) of male participants was 40.4 +/- 11.9 years (range 20-62 years); the women were aged between 20 and 56 years. Increasing age was strongly associated with increasing neurological disability. Clinical peripheral neuropathy predominantly affected thermal sensation in all patients, with variable involvement of pinprick and light touch. QST confirmed these findings. Clinical cerebellar tests were commonly abnormal: this has not been previously reported in the absence of symptomatic cerebrovascular disease. There was hearing loss was in 90% of patients and no patient older than 44 years had normal hearing. MRI lesion prevalence increased with age. Despite neurological complications being common, formal cognitive testing was basically normal. QST thresholds for pain showed a significant change after enzyme replacement therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurological complications in Fabry disease are common, complex and may be devastating. All patients studied had neurological involvement, with protean and diverse manifestations.

Potential c-fiber damage in Wilson's disease

OBJECTIVES

To find out about potential involvement of the peripheral and autonomic nervous system in Wilson's disease (WD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seventeen patients with laboratory proven WD were examined with quantitative sensory testing (QST) (thermal, pain and vibratory sensation), pupillometric evaluation and electrophysiological testing of basal ganglia motor function [frequency of most rapid alternating movements (MRAM), reaction time (RT), contraction time (CT)]. Results were compared with those obtained in 20 healthy controls.

RESULTS

After correction for multiple comparisons, patients with WD showed significantly higher thresholds for warm sensation [sural and peroneal nerve, thermal sensory limen (TSL), unpaired t-test]. Individual results were pathological in eight (peroneal) and nine (sural nerve) patients, respectively. Pupil function was not altered. Patients with WD showed significant slowing of MRAM and prolongation of RT and CT. There was no significant correlation between RT and QST results.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings are compatible with a potential involvement of unmyelinated warm-specific C fibers in WD, independent from predominant basal ganglia motor dysfunction.