Diagnosis and treatment of Wilson's disease

Exploring the Content Validity of the Unified Wilson Disease Rating Scale: Insights from Qualitative Research

INTRODUCTION

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare metabolic disorder of impaired copper transport manifesting in hepatic, neurological, and psychiatric symptoms. To evaluate the clinical symptoms of WD in clinical trials, a group of clinicians created the Unified Wilson Disease Rating Scale (UWDRS). Content validity of this scale has not been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content validity of the UWDRS Part II from the patient perspective.

METHODS

This study utilized multiple qualitative research methods including concept elicitation interviews, concept/instrument mapping, and cognitive debriefing interviews.

RESULTS

Concept elicitation interviews with a sample of patients with WD and one or more neurological signs/symptoms identified several signs, symptoms, and impacts related to neurological dysfunction, strengthening our understanding of the importance of the neurological aspects of the WD patient experience. Mapping neurological concepts to Part II and III items of the UWDRS showed complete coverage of all salient neurological concepts and near complete coverage of all neurological concepts reported by patients in concept elicitation interviews. Item debriefing of Part II of the UWDRS revealed that patients generally found the items clear and personally relevant to their experience with WD.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the findings from this study provide evidence for the content validity of the UWDRS Part II and supportive evidence for the content validity of Part III. The UWDRS should be used in conjunction with additional clinical outcomes assessments, specifically those evaluating the hepatic and psychiatric signs/symptoms of WD, to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the WD patient experience.

The patient experience of Wilson disease: a conceptual model based on qualitative research

Background

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare disease wherein copper accumulates in tissues, leading to hepatic degeneration, neurological impairments, and psychiatric symptoms. This study aimed to characterize the patient experience of WD and develop a conceptual model containing key symptoms and impacts of the disease.

Results

A targeted literature review was conducted to develop a preliminary conceptual model of WD that was subsequently refined through one-on-one interviews with 3 WD clinicians and finalized following concept elicitation interviews with 11 patients and 1 caregiver. The literature review returned 30 articles, from which 45 concepts (35 signs/symptoms and 10 impacts) were selected for inclusion in the preliminary conceptual model. After interviews with clinicians, the model was expanded to include 45 signs/symptoms and 14 impacts. The final comprehensive conceptual model developed after interviews with patients included 54 symptoms in total (n = 22 hepatic, n = 19 neurological, n = 13 psychiatric), and 21 impacts. Across symptoms, patients reported a high level of bother, with approximately 49% of symptoms reported by patients having an average peak bother rating of ≥ 7 out of 10 (10 = most bothersome). Patient interviews identified 2 subgroups of patients: those who experience neurological, psychiatric, and hepatic symptoms and those who experience mostly hepatic and some psychiatric symptoms, but no neurological symptoms.

Conclusions

This research underscores the substantial multisystemic symptoms and impacts that patients with WD describe as highly bothersome in their lives. Hepatic symptoms emerged as especially common and important to patients with WD, possibly beyond what is commonly understood in research and clinical practice. Further, the description of 2 distinct patient groups may help to inform patient management and support more targeted drug development processes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13023-021-02059-x.

Diagnostic Dilemma and Treatment Outcome in Acute Liver Failure Due to Wilson's Disease

Background

Wilson’s disease (WD) manifesting as acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening condition, and spontaneous recovery is rare. Diagnostic scores like the alkaline phosphatase elevation/total bilirubin elevation ratio and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio can distinguish WD from other ALF etiologies. Liver transplantation plays a major role in treating these patients, and the revised Wilson Index is useful in patient selection for this procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic scores, treatments, and outcomes of a large cohort of patients with WD-ALF.

Material/Methods

Twenty adult patients of a historical cohort admitted from January 2001 to December 2017 were prospectively observed. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiology data, and treatment, time on the waiting list for liver transplantation, and outcomes were recorded.

Results

No diagnostic laboratory scores were 100% positive in patients with WD-ALF. Cut-off values for the alkaline phosphatase/total bilirubin ratio and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio were met by 65.0% and 80.0% of patients, respectively. All patients met at least 1 criterion for high risk of death (Nazer or revised Wilson Index) and qualified for liver transplantation. In 9 patients, albumin dialysis was used before surgery. Survival after liver transplantation was 85.0% and 74.4% after 1 month and 1 year, respectively.

Conclusions

Further research on a novel diagnostic score in WD-ALF is warranted. Adult patients suspected to have WD as the cause of ALF should be treated in the referral liver transplantation unit. Liver transplantation makes long-term survival possible for patients with this critical illness.

Zinc Monotherapy as an Alternative Treatment Option for Decompensated Liver Disease due to Wilson Disease?

Background

Wilson disease is a rare metabolic disorder involving copper metabolism, and patients may present with a variable degree of hepatic, neurologic, and psychiatric manifestations. In the case of hepatic presentation, treatment is usually initiated with potentially toxic copper chelators (D-penicillamine or Trenton). Although zinc is of low toxicity and low cost for treatment of Wilson disease, it has been limited to the adjunctive as a single maintenance drug or for asymptomatic patients. The use of zinc monotherapy in patients suffering from a severe liver disease was not well studied. In our case report, we describe a pediatric patient who presented with liver failure and the use of zinc monotherapy in patients with severe hepatic manifestations. Case presentation. A 15-year-old male patient from Ethiopia presented with generalized body swelling (edema and ascites) with yellowish discoloration of his eyes and easy fatigability. He had hyperbilirubinemia, coagulopathy, hypoalbuminemia, and deranged liver enzymes. He had a Keyser–Fleischer ring visible with the naked eye, which was confirmed by slit-lamp examination. He had very low serum ceruloplasmin (<8 mg/L) and high 24-hour urine copper (150 mcg/dl). In accordance with the scoring system proposed by the 8th International Meeting on Wilson Disease and Menkes Disease, a diagnosis of Wilson disease was made. Zinc monotherapy with low copper diet was initiated for decompensated liver disease due to Wilson disease because of the inaccessibility of chelators (D-penicillamine or Trientine). After months of treatment with zinc, the patient experienced normalization of hepatic synthetic function and resolution of hypoalbuminemia and coagulopathy. The patient had also clinically stabilized (ascites, lower extremity swelling, edema, and jaundice were improved. Currently, the patient is on follow-up almost for the last four years in the gastrointestinal clinic.

Conclusion

Our case shows that zinc has the potential for treatment in improving liver function. Though zinc has its own side effects, it is important and maybe an alternative treatment option in those with limited resources (not able to access chelators). This example hopefully will encourage future investigations and researches on zinc monotherapy for treating symptomatic decompensated hepatic Wilson disease.

Predictive Factors for Survival in Children Receiving Liver Transplants for Wilson's Disease: A Cohort Study Using European Liver Transplant Registry Data

Liver transplantation (LT) is a rescue therapy for life-threatening complications of Wilson's disease (WD). However, data on the outcome of WD patients after LT are scarce. The aim of our study was to analyze a large pediatric WD cohort with the aim of investigating the longterm outcome of pediatric WD patients after LT and to identify predictive factors for patient and transplant survival. This is a retrospective cohort study using data of all children (<18 years) transplanted for WD enrolled in the European Liver Transplant Registry from January 1968 until December 2013. In total, 338 patients (57.6% female) transplanted at 80 different European centers (1-26 patients per center) were included in this study. The median age at transplantation was 14.0 years (interquartile range [IQR], 11.2-16.1 years); patients were followed up for a median of 5.4 years (IQR, 1.0-10.9 years) after LT. Overall patient survival rates were high with 87% (1-year survival), 84% (5-year survival), and 81% (10-year survival); survival rates increased considerably with the calendar year (P < 0.001). Early age at LT, living donation, and histidine tryptophan ketoglutarate preservation liquid were identified as risk factors for poor patient survival in the multivariate analysis. LT is an excellent treatment option for pediatric patients with WD and associated end-stage liver disease. Longterm outcome in these patients is similar to other pediatric causes for LT. Overall patient and graft survival rates improved considerably over the last decades. To improve future research in the field, the vast variability of allocation strategies should be harmonized and a generally accepted definition or discrimination of acute versus chronic WD needs to be found.

Relative exchangeable copper: A valuable tool for the diagnosis of Wilson disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Measuring of the relative exchangeable copper seems to be a promising tool for the diagnosis of Wilson disease. The aim of our study is to determine the performance of REC for the diagnosis of Wilson disease in a population of patients with chronic liver diseases.

METHODS

Measuring of exchangeable serum copper levels and relative exchangeable copper was performed in a group of Wilson disease patients at diagnosis or at clinical deterioration because of non-compliance (group 1, n=9), a group of stable WD patients (group 2, n=40), and two groups of patients (adult and paediatric) followed for non-Wilsonian liver diseases (group 3, n=103 and group 4, n=49 respectively).

RESULTS

Exchangeable serum copper (N: 0.6-1.1 μmol/L) was significantly higher in group 1 (mean 2.2±0.7 μmol/L) compared to the other three groups: group 2=0.9±0.4 μmol/L, group 3=1.2±0.4 μmol/L, group 4=1.1±0.3 μmol/L (P<0.05). Relative exchangeable copper was significantly higher in Wilson disease patients group 1 and 2 (mean 52.6% and 43.8%) compared to patients suffering from other liver diseases (mean 7.1% and 5.9%) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms that the determination of relative exchangeable copper is a highly valuable tool for the diagnosis of Wilson disease.

Wilson's Disease: Clinical, Genetic and Pharmacological Findings

Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by copper accumulation and toxicity in the liver and in other tissues. WD presents with liver disease, neurological or psychiatric disturbances or other less common clinical features. Diagnosis of WD is often difficult and may be formulated through clinical, biochemical, imaging, histochemical and genetic evaluations. Pharmacological approach in WD consists in copper chelating agents such as D-penicillamine, trientine, dimercaprol and tetrathiomolybdate. In 1997 zinc was approved for maintenance therapy of WD by the U.S. FDA. Orthotopic Liver Transplantation is indicated in fulminant hepatic failure, progressive hepatic insufficiency despite therapy, cirrhosis with complications of portal hypertension. However the most appropriate therapy, including OLT, remains controversial in WD and further studies are needed especially in order to differentiate the possibility of specific therapies for different WD phenotypes.

Histologic evolution and long-term outcome of Wilson's disease: results of a single-center experience

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Wilson's disease (WD) is a rare inborn disease related to copper storage, leading to liver cirrhosis and neuropsychological deterioration. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical presentation and long-term outcome, and to examine the progression of hepatic histopathology in serial liver biopsies from WD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carried out a retrospective analysis of 60 patients with WD treated with zinc and/or penicillamine. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were gathered and 40 patients underwent an initial biopsy and at least one repeat biopsy. Patients were divided into two groups: progressors (patients who presented worsening of at least one unit of fibrosis) and nonprogressors (patients who presented stable or improved fibrosis scores).

RESULTS

A total of 33/40 (83%) patients (nonprogressors) showed stable hepatic histology or improvement. Seven of 40 (17%) patients (progressors) showed worsening of fibrosis. There was no significant correlation between the histological findings and clinical parameters or initial presentation.

CONCLUSION

In our study cohort, liver disease was stable or improving in most of the patients, and development of progressive hepatic symptoms while under treatment was a rare event. The development of new symptoms while under treatment or progression of pre-existing symptoms was more often recorded for neurological than for hepatic symptoms.

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

AIMS

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

PATIENTS AND METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSIONS

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

Liver transplantation for Wilson disease

The aim of this paper is to review the current status of liver transplantation (LT) for Wilson disease (WD), focusing on indications and controversies, especially in patients with neuropsychiatric disease, and on identification of acute liver failure (ALF) cases related to WD. LT remains the treatment of choice for patients with ALF, as initial presentation of WD or when anti-copper agents are stopped, and for patients with chronic liver disease progressed to cirrhosis, unresponsive to chelating medications or not timely treated with copper chelating agents. The indication for LT in WD remains highly debated in patients with progressive neurological deterioration and failure to improve with appropriate medical treatment. In case of Wilsonian ALF, early identification is key as mortality is 100% without emergency LT. As many of the copper metabolism parameters are believed to be less reliable in ALF, simple biochemical tests have been proposed for diagnosis of acute WD with good sensitivity and specificity. LT corrects copper metabolism and complications resulting from WD with excellent 1 and 5 year survival. Living related liver transplantation represents an alternative to deceased donor LT with excellent long-term survival, without disease recurrence. Future options may include hepatocyte transplantation and gene therapy. Although both of these have shown promising results in animal models of WD, prospective human studies are much needed to demonstrate their long-term beneficial effects and their potential to replace the need for medical therapy and LT in patients with WD.

Wilson's disease: an analysis of 28 Brazilian children

OBJECTIVES

Clinical-laboratory and evolutionary analysis of twenty-eight patients with Wilson's disease.

METHODS

Twenty-eight children (twelve females and sixteen males) with Wilson's disease were evaluated retrospectively between 1987 and 2009, with a follow-up of 72 months (1 - 240 months). The clinical, laboratory, and histologic features at diagnosis were recorded at the end of the study.

RESULTS

The median age at diagnosis was 11 years (2 - 18 years). Twelve patients were asymptomatic, seven had hepatitis symptoms, five had raised aminotransferase levels, three had hepatomegaly associated with neurological disorders, one had fulminant hepatitis with hemolytic anemia, and six patients presented with a Kayser-Fleischer ring. A histological analysis revealed that six children had chronic hepatitis, seven had cirrhosis, two had steatosis, one had portal fibrosis, and one had massive necrosis. The treatment consisted of D-penicillamine associated with pyridoxine for 26 patients. Adverse effects were observed in the other two patients: one presented with uncontrollable vomiting and the other demonstrated elastosis perforans serpiginosa. At the end of the study, all 26 treated patients were asymptomatic. Twenty-four of the patients were treated with D-penicillamine and pyridoxine, and two were treated with trientine and zinc sulfate. A liver transplant was performed in one patient with fulminant hepatitis, but the final patient died 48 hours after admission to the intensive care unit.

CONCLUSIONS

Family screenings associated with early treatment are important in preventing Wilson's disease symptoms and potentially fatal disease progression. The study suggests that Wilson's disease must be ruled out in children older than two years presenting with abnormal levels of hepatic enzymes because of the heterogeneity of symptoms and the encouraging treatment results obtained so far.

A clinical study of Wilson's disease: The experience of a single Egyptian Paediatric Hepatology Unit

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Most paediatric patients with Wilson's disease (WD) present with hepatic manifestations, but some may have neurologic or psychiatric features. Our aim was to define the clinical, biochemical features and the outcome of therapy of a group of Egyptian children diagnosed with WD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study was carried out at the Paediatric Hepatology Unit at Cairo University Children's Hospital, Egypt; 54 patients were diagnosed with WD from 1996 to 2009. The diagnosis was based on low serum ceruloplasmin levels, increased urinary copper concentrations before or after D-penicillamine challenge and/or the presence of Kayser-Fleischer (K-F) rings.

RESULTS

The clinical presentation was as follows: hepatic presentation in 33 patients (61%), hepato-neurologic 3 (5.5%), neurologic 5 (9.3%) and presymptomatic 13 (24%). Twelve couples had more than one affected sib. Increased urinary copper concentrations before or after D-penicillamine challenge was found in all patients, low serum ceruloplasmin in 97% and K-F rings in 31.5%. All patients were treated with penicillamine and zinc sulphate except one presymptomatic case who was treated with zinc sulphate only. Three patients underwent liver transplantation and eight patients died after a median duration of treatment of 6 months (1-36). The hepatic symptoms improved with treatment but the neurological symptoms remained stationary.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical and biochemical assays remain the standard for diagnosis of WD. Penicillamine and zinc therapy can effectively treat WD with hepatic symptoms. Liver transplantation remains life saving for those with fulminant and end stage WD. Screening for presymptomatic sibs is of utmost importance.

Liver mitochondrial membrane crosslinking and destruction in a rat model of Wilson disease

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare hereditary condition that is caused by a genetic defect in the copper-transporting ATPase ATP7B that results in hepatic copper accumulation and lethal liver failure. The present study focuses on the structural mitochondrial alterations that precede clinical symptoms in the livers of rats lacking Atp7b, an animal model for WD. Liver mitochondria from these Atp7b–/– rats contained enlarged cristae and widened intermembrane spaces, which coincided with a massive mitochondrial accumulation of copper. These changes, however, preceded detectable deficits in oxidative phosphorylation and biochemical signs of oxidative damage, suggesting that the ultrastructural modifications were not the result of oxidative stress imposed by copper- dependent Fenton chemistry. In a cell-free system containing a reducing dithiol agent, isolated mitochondria exposed to copper underwent modifications that were closely related to those observed in vivo. In this cell-free system, copper induced thiol modifications of three abundant mitochondrial membrane proteins, and this correlated with reversible intramitochondrial membrane crosslinking, which was also observed in liver mitochondria from Atp7b–/– rats. In vivo, copper-chelating agents reversed mitochondrial accumulation of copper, as well as signs of intra-mitochondrial membrane crosslinking, thereby preserving the functional and structural integrity of mitochondria. Together, these findings suggest that the mitochondrion constitutes a pivotal target of copper in WD.

Liver transplantation for children with Wilson disease: comparison of outcomes between children and adults

Liver transplantation (LT) is lifesaving for patients with Wilson disease (WD) presenting with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) or chronic liver disease (CLD) unresponsive to treatment.

AIM

To determine the outcome of LT in pediatric and adult patients with WD.

METHODS

United Network for Organ Sharing data on LT from 1987 to 2008 were analyzed. Outcomes were compared for patients requiring LT for FHF and CLD after 2002. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for death and graft loss.

RESULTS

Of 90,867 patients transplanted between 1987 and 2008, 170 children and 400 adults had WD. The one- and five-yr patient survival of children was 90.1% and 89% compared to 88.3% and 86% for adults, p = 0.53, 0.34. After 2002, 103 (41 children) were transplanted for FHF and 67 (10 children) for CLD. One- and five-yr patient survival was higher in children transplanted for CLD compared to FHF; 100%, 100% vs. 90%, 87.5% respectively, p = 0.30, 0.32. One- and five-yr patient survival was higher in adults transplanted for CLD compared to FHF; 94.7%, 90.1% vs. 90.3%, 89.7%, respectively, p = 0.36, 0.88. Encephalopathy, partial graft, and ventilator use were risk factors for death by logistic regression.

CONCLUSION

LT is an excellent treatment option for patients with WD. Patients transplanted for CLD had higher patient survival rates than patients with FHF.

Doença de Wilson em crianças e adolescentes: diagnóstico e tratamento

OBJETIVO: Descrever as formas de apresentação, as alterações laboratoriais ao diagnóstico e o tratamento de crianças e adolescentes com doença de Wilson. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo e retrospectivo de 17 crianças e adolescentes com doença de Wilson atendidos no Ambulatório de Hepatologia Pediátrica do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais no período de 1985 a 2008. Os dados foram coletados dos prontuários e durante as consultas ambulatoriais. RESULTADOS: A idade ao diagnóstico variou de 2,8 a 15,1 anos, com média de 8,8±0,9 anos. A forma de apresentação predominante foi hepática (53%), seguida por assintomáticos provenientes de triagem familiar. O anel de Kayser-Fleischer foi encontrado em 41% dos pacientes. A ceruloplasmina encontrava-se alterada em 15/17 pacientes e o cobre urinário variou de 24 a 1000mcg/24h (mediana: 184mcg/24h). O tratamento instituído foi a D-penicilamina. Observaram-se efeitos colaterais em cinco crianças, sem necessidade de interrupção ou troca da medicação. As respostas clínica e laboratorial, com níveis normais de aminotransferases, foram evidenciadas em 14 pacientes após mediana de 10,7 meses de tratamento. Três crianças morreram (uma por hepatite fulminante e duas com complicações da insuficiência hepática grave), apesar do tratamento. CONCLUSÕES: A doença de Wilson é rara na faixa etária pediátrica. A forma de apresentação predominante é a hepática. Seu diagnóstico se baseia principalmente em dosagem de ceruloplasmina baixa, cobre livre e cobre em urina de 24 horas elevados, mas exige alto grau de suspeição. Apresenta boa resposta e tolerância ao tratamento medicamentoso.

Urinary copper/zinc ratio: a promising parameter for replacement of 24-hour urinary copper excretion for diagnosis of Wilson's disease in children

BACKGROUND

Although 24-hour urinary copper excretion is valuable for diagnosis of Wilson's disease, accurate, timed collection entails practical difficulties. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of morning urinary copper/creatinine or copper/zinc ratio as replacement parameter for diagnosing Wilson's disease.

METHODS

Five random urinary samples collected during 24 hours from two inpatients were used to estimate the consistency of urinary copper/creatinine and copper/zinc ratios. The correlation of the ratios with 24-hour urinary copper excretion was studied in 15 patients with liver diseases. The diagnostic value of morning urinary copper/zinc ratio was further studied in 9 children with Wilson's disease and 22 children with other liver diseases.

RESULTS

The coefficients of variation of urinary copper/creatinine and copper/zinc ratios during 24 hours were 12.5% and 9.3% respectively. The morning urinary copper/creatinine ratio, copper/zinc ratio, and 24-hour urinary copper excretion were correlated well. The area under receiver-operating characteristic curve was comparable between the morning urinary copper/zinc ratio and 24-hour urinary copper excretion (0.983 vs. 0.977).

CONCLUSION

Morning urinary copper/zinc ratio seems to be a promising parameter in replacement of 24-hour urinary copper excretion for diagnosis of Wilson's disease.

Is it possible to diagnose Wilson disease with a piece of skin?

Renal, skeletal, cardiac, and ophthalmic involvement in Wilson disease (WD) is well known. In this case report, high copper content and ultrastructural findings of skin of a patient with WD accompanied by xerosis are presented.

Diffuse liver diseases in neonatal and pediatric liver transplant candidates: a pictorial essay

A wide spectrum of common and uncommon diffuse liver diseases affecting neonatal and pediatric liver transplant candidates is presented and analyzed using 16 and 64 multi-detector row helical CT (MDCT) and 1.5 T MRI fast imaging. Correlation of imaging findings and explanted liver or histology is illustrated in representative cases. Associated uncommon congenital anomalies are shown. In conclusion, in pediatric liver transplant candidates, 16-MDCT and 1.5 T fast MRI are useful for diagnosis and staging of liver disease, as well as for the evaluation of associated congenital anomalies.

Dermatological signs in Wilson's disease

BACKGROUND

Because no data on skin and mucosal findings of patients with Wilson's disease have been published so far, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of mucosal and skin findings in childhood Wilson's disease and to determine its specific dermatological findings, if any exist.

METHODS

Thirty-seven 4-17-year-old children with Wilson's disease were included. A complete skin, scalp skin, mucous membrane and nail examination was performed.

RESULTS

Of the children, 26 (70.3%) had at least one dermatological finding. Twenty-five (67.6%), five (13.5%), nine (24.3%) had at least one skin, mucosal and nail finding, respectively. The most prevalent dermatological diagnosis of the Wilson's disease patients was xerosis (45.7%). The presence of dermatological findings was not related to drug usage, severity of the disease, or malnutrition. The duration of the disease was not different in patients with or without dermatological findings. The frequency of skin findings alone, however, was high in relatively newly diagnosed patients (<2 years).

CONCLUSION

Dermatologist should be aware of the various dermatological manifestations of Wilson's disease, because a careful and objective skin, mucosa, nail and hair examination may be indicative of a diagnosis of Wilson's disease, particularly in early cases.

Imaging in liver transplantation

The aim of this study was to illustrate the role of non-invasive imaging tools such as ultrasonography, multi-detector row computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of pediatric and adult liver recipients and potential liver donors, and in the detection of potential complications arising from liver transplantation.

Do cytokines have any role in Wilson's disease?

The aim of this study was to determine the serum cytokine levels in patients with Wilson's disease (WD) and correlate with phenotype, therapeutic status and laboratory data. In this cross-sectional study, the serum levels of cytokines were estimated in 34 patients (M : F, 23 : 11; drug-naive, 11) with WD (mean age: 13.8 +/- 8.6 and 19.6 +/- 9.03 years) and compared with 30 controls. The following serum cytokines were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: (i) tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, (ii) interferon (IFN)-gamma, (iii) interleukin (IL)-2, (iv) IL-6 and (v) IL-4. Serum TNF-alpha (P < 0.001), IFN-gamma (P = 0.005) and IL-6 (P < 0.001) were detectable in WD compared with controls. However, serum level elevation of IL-4 (P = 0.49) and IL-2 (P = 0.11), although detectable compared with controls, was statistically insignificant. The disease severity and therapeutic status did not affect the cytokines. Presence of anaemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia and hepatic dysfunction did not influence cytokine levels. There was a significant negative correlation between IL-6 and ceruloplasmin (P = 0.04) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4) and copper level (P = 0.01). Serum cytokines, both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory subtypes, were elevated significantly in patients with WD. Further studies would establish their role in its pathogenesis.

Screening for Wilson disease in acute liver failure: a comparison of currently available diagnostic tests

Acute liver failure (ALF) due to Wilson disease (WD) is invariably fatal without emergency liver transplantation. Therefore, rapid diagnosis of WD should aid prompt transplant listing. To identify the best method for diagnosis of ALF due to WD (ALF-WD), data and serum were collected from 140 ALF patients (16 with WD), 29 with other chronic liver diseases and 17 with treated chronic WD. Ceruloplasmin (Cp) was measured by both oxidase activity and nephelometry and serum copper levels by atomic absorption spectroscopy. In patients with ALF, a serum Cp <20 mg/dL by the oxidase method provided a diagnostic sensitivity of 21% and specificity of 84% while, by nephelometry, a sensitivity of 56% and specificity of 63%. Serum copper levels exceeded 200 microg/dL in all ALF-WD patients measured (13/16), but were also elevated in non-WD ALF. An alkaline phosphatase (AP) to total bilirubin (TB) ratio <4 yielded a sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 96%, and a likelihood ratio of 23 for diagnosing fulminant WD. In addition, an AST:ALT ratio >2.2 yielded a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 86%, and a likelihood ratio of 7 for diagnosing fulminant WD. Combining the tests provided a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSION

Conventional WD testing utilizing serum ceruloplasmin and/or serum copper levels are less sensitive and specific in identifying patients with ALF-WD than other available tests. More readily available laboratory tests including alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and serum aminotransferases by contrast provides the most rapid and accurate method for diagnosis of ALF due to WD.

Blue lunulae: argyria and hypercopprecaemia

A 42-year-old woman presented with blue lunulae in association with argyria and hypercopprecaemia. The argyria was caused by the regular ingestion of colloidal silver in water over an extended period of time. The raised copper may have contributed to the nail discolouration, and was believed to be due either to ingestion of copper-containing multivitamin tablets or as an acute-phase reactant. We believe that the ease of access to, and lack of stringent regulatory controls over, food supplements and alternative medicines may cause similar cases in the future. We therefore recommend that all patients should be routinely questioned on their use of over-the-counter preparations and alternative medicines.

Usefulness of penicillamine-stimulated urinary copper excretion in the diagnosis of adult Wilson's disease

OBJECTIVE

Diagnosis of Wilson's disease (WD) is reliant on liver biopsy (LB) and measurement of hepatic copper. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of penicillamine-stimulated urinary copper excretion (PS-UCE), a non-invasive diagnostic test, for the diagnosis of WD in adults.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this prospective study of patients with suspected WD, total serum copper, ceruloplasmin, basal 24-h UCE and PS-UCE levels were measured. LB with copper determination was performed in those patients with persistent hypertransaminasemia and low ceruloplasmin or basal UCE > 40 microg/24 h. Diagnosis was established if the ceruloplasmin level was found to be < 20 mg/dl and hepatic copper > 250 microg/g. Results. A total of 115 patients were studied; LB was performed in 43, and WD was diagnosed in 6 (13.9%). Significant differences between WD and non-WD patients were found for basal UCE (WD: median 134.3 microg/24 h versus non-WD: median 19.0 microg/24 h (p < 0.05)) and PS-UCE (WD: median 1284.0 microg/24 h versus non-WD: median 776.0 microg/24 h; p < 0.01). In the ROC (receiver-operated curve) analysis, PS-UCE was the best discriminant between WD and non-WD (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.911, best cut-off point 1057 microg/24 h, 100% sensitivity, 82.3% specificity).

CONCLUSIONS

PS-UCE is probably a useful non-invasive test in the diagnosis of WD, improving the selection of patients for diagnostic liver biopsy. Patients with PS-UCE under 1057 microg/24 h only rarely will suffer from WD and are unlikely to benefit from LB.

Bone mineral density of children with Wilson disease: efficacy of penicillamine and zinc therapy

OBJECTIVES

Osteoporosis accompanying chronic liver disease is well known; however, the exact prevalence is unknown. No data on bone mineral density (BMD) of children with Wilson disease (WD) have been published so far. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of osteoporosis in childhood WD and to observe the probable positive effects of penicillamine and zinc therapy on osteoporosis.

METHODS

Thirty-one children with newly diagnosed WD and sex and age-matched 16 healthy children were included. Mean age was 9.0+/-3.2 years (2 to 16 y). Bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD were measured on admission and in 13 cases they were reassessed after 1 year of treatment with penicillamine and zinc.

RESULTS

Mean BMD, BMC, and Z scores of the patients were significantly lower than those of healthy children: 0.52+/-0.09 versus 0.72+/-0.09 (P=0.001), 19.27+/-13.01 versus 29.67+/-14.23 (P=0.009), and -2.33+/-1.28 versus -0.12+/-0.31 (P=0.001), respectively. The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in children with WD was found as 22.6% and 67.7%, respectively. BMD and BMC levels were higher in children with neurologic involvement. The severity of the disease had no effect on the mentioned parameters. One year under treatment with penicillamine and zinc did not significantly alter the mentioned parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

In this first study investigating the prevalence of osteoporosis in children with WD, we found an extremely high prevalence. Because of nonbeneficial effect of routine treatment of WD on osteoporosis, we emphasize the necessity of screening of bone mineralization and additional therapeutic approach for those children.

Fulminant hepatic failure: a Portuguese experience

BACKGROUND

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a rare condition. Several series have been reported either by individual centres or in multicentre studies but, to our knowledge, this is the first report from a Portuguese population and might be a good example of FHF cases in a SouthWestern European population.

AIMS

To present the experience in FHF of a Portuguese Hepatogastroenterological Intensive Care Unit.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 61 cases of FHF consecutively admitted between February 1992 and October 2006. Definition and classification of FHF were those suggested by Trey and Davidson (1970) and O'Grady et al. (1993), respectively. Criteria and contraindications for hepatic transplantation (HT) were those proposed by Bernuau et al. (1991) and Muñoz (1993), respectively.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven per cent of patients were women and median age was 37 years (range: 8-73). Most common cause of FHF was indeterminate (26%) followed by viral (23%) and drug-induced (23%), with 51% of cases with a hyperacute evolution. Global HT rate was 54% with criteria for HT present in 87% of the patients resulting in an applicability rate of 62%. Overall survival was 69% and transplant-free survival was 15%; transplanted patients had survival rates of 70 and 68% at 6 and 12 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Drug-induced and viral agents were responsible for almost half of FHF cases with a clear predominance of hyperacute presentation. The HT rate was 54% and the applicability rate was 62%. The overall 1 year survival of 69% might reflect the adequacy of the HT criteria used.

Revised King's College score for liver transplantation in adult patients with Wilson's disease

Fulminant Wilson's disease (WD) is almost invariably fatal, and liver transplantation is the only life-saving treatment. Decompensated chronic WD usually responds to chelation therapy. Our aim was to validate 3 published scoring systems for deciding between chelation treatment and liver transplantation in patients with chronic decompensated and fulminant WD. Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, as well as WD prognostic index (WPI) and its recently revised version (RWPI) were evaluated as predictors of the safety for chelation therapy. A group of 14 adult patients with decompensated chronic WD who improved on penicillamine treatment were compared with 21 patients with fulminant WD. The diagnosis of WD was based on increased urinary copper excretion and confirmed by elevated liver copper content and/or mutation analysis of the WD gene. The MELD score, WPI, and RWPI were calculated for all patients with WD. The accuracy of the MELD score, WPI, and RWPI for prediction of response to chelation therapy in patients with decompensated chronic WD was 0.968, 0.980, and 0.993, respectively. None of the decompensated chronic WD patients had a MELD score >30, RWPI >11, or WPI >7. RWPI showed the highest accuracy and the lowest false negativity compared with WPI and MELD. In conclusion, our data indicate that RWPI, originally proposed for pediatric patients, is also useful for adults.

Living-related liver transplantation for Wilson's disease

Orthotopic liver transplantation has been applied to the treatment of Wilson's disease (WD), living-related liver transplantation (LRLT) has also been indicated for WD with increasing frequency. Between January 2001 and November 2003, 22 LRLTs were performed on patients (19 pediatric, three adults) with WD in liver transplantation center. Two patients were transplanted because of a presentation coexistent with fulminant hepatic failure. Twenty presented with chronic advanced liver disease with (n = 9) or without (n = 11) associated neurologic manifestations. All the recipients had low serum ceruloplasmin levels with a mean value of 12.8 +/- 3.2 mg/dl before transplantation and increased to an average of 26.0 +/- 3.6 mg/dl after LRLT at the latest evaluation. The survival patients with neurologic manifestations such as tremor, dysarthia, dysphagia, dystonia and sialorrhea had improved after LRLT. This suggests that LRLT not only resolves the hepatic but also ameliorates the neurologic consequences of WD.

Copper chelation with tetrathiomolybdate suppresses adjuvant-induced arthritis and inflammation-associated cachexia in rats

Tetrathiomolybdate (TM), a drug developed for Wilson's disease, produces an anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effect by reducing systemic copper levels. TM therapy has proved effective in inhibiting the growth of tumors in animal tumor models and in cancer patients. We have hypothesized that TM may be used for the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and have examined the efficacy of TM on adjuvant-induced arthritis in the rat, which is a model of acute inflammatory arthritis and inflammatory cachexia. TM delayed the onset of and suppressed the severity of clinical arthritis on both paw volume and the arthritis score. Histological examination demonstrated that TM significantly reduces the synovial hyperplasia and inflammatory cell invasion in joint tissues. Interestingly, TM can inhibit the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in serum synovial tissues, especially in endothelial cells and macrophages. Moreover, the extent of pannus formation, which leads to bone destruction, is correlated with the content of vascular endothelial growth factor in the serum. There was no mortality in TM-treated rat abnormalities. TM also suppressed inflammatory cachexia. We suggest that copper deficiency induced by TM is a potent approach both to inhibit the progression of rheumatoid arthritis with minimal adverse effects and to improve the well-being of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Current and future therapy in haemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease

There have been several new developments in the treatment of iron and copper overload disorders, such as haemochromatosis, thalassaemia and Wilson's disease. Clinical trials of orally administered iron chelators, both as monotherapy and in combination with deferoxamine, are in progress around the world. Several new chelators are now being introduced in clinical trials. Future therapies for iron overload may comprise of oral iron binding agents capable of preventing dietary iron absorption from the diet. The characterisation of specific iron transporters such as the divalent metallic transporter and ferroportin may hold promise for the development of 'smart' compounds capable of blocking iron transport. Several new agents are now available for the management of Wilson's disease, including trientine, zinc and tetrathiomolybdate. This review, will discuss the pathogenesis, and current and future therapies for iron and copper overload disorders.

Enfermedad de Wilson con afectación neurológica grave: respuesta al tratamiento combinado con trientina y acetato de cinc

In patients with Wilson's disease and neurological manifestations, treatment with D-penicillamine can cause worsening of neurological symptoms, usually in the first few weeks of treatment. Because the neurological damage can be severe and irreversible, the use of D-penicillamine is controversial, and several authors believe that it should be avoided. Studies of the use of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate as an alternative chelating agent for the initial treatment of neurologic Wilson's disease are still in the experimental phase. Published experience on the simultaneous use of trientine, another chelating agent, and zinc, which blocks intestinal absorption of copper, is promising but limited. We present the case of a 17 year-old boy with severe neurologic Wilson's disease that had first presented six years previously. The patient showed a complete recovery after six months of treatment with a combination of trientine and zinc acetate.

A forward look at therapy for pediatric movement disorders

The mainstay of current therapy for pediatric movement disorders is oral symptomatic medication, unless a reversible etiology can be found. However, this approach is apt to pale in comparison with innovative strategies on the clinical forefront. Classical pharmacotherapy is restricted by the blood-brain barrier, which prevents access to the brain of potentially therapeutic molecules. Recent developments in molecular biotechnology include antibody-mediated drug release, feedback-responsive delivery systems, carrier-mediated transport, microspheres composed of polymers and liposomes, permeabilizers, and selective delivery to localized sites and vectors. Neuroprotective strategies for delivering neurotrophic factors and antiapoptotic and antioxidant molecules in neurodegenerative disorders are currently under study in clinical trials. Stem cell transplantation has great potential for tissue engineering and also as a carrier for gene therapy, although its use raises complex societal issues. These approaches, together with a plethora of transgenic knockout animal models of neurodegenerative disorders, offer real promise for a previously untreatable group of movement disorders.

Childhood dystonia

Childhood dystonias are a heterogeneous group of disorders with strong inherited basis. This review describes the clinical characteristics, classification, genetic basis, pathophysiology, biochemistry, pathology, and treatment of dystonias, including the primary dystonias, the dystonia-plus syndromes, secondary dystonias, and heredodegenerative disorders. Conditions discussed in detail include idiopathic torsion dystonia, dopa-responsive dystonia, Wilson's disease, myoclonus dystonia, rapid-onset dystonia parkinsonism, neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome), mitochondrial dystonias, Niemann-Pick type C, and neuroacanthocytosis.