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Ren Y, Li S, Lei JJ, Li R, Dong BX, Yang J. Clinical feature and genetic analysis of HMBS gene in Chinese patients with acute intermittent porphyria: a systematic review. Front Genet 2023; 14:1291719. [PMID: 38148975 PMCID: PMC10750365 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1291719] [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: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Early detection and diagnosis are important crucial to prevent life-threatening acute attacks in patients with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). We aim to provide comprehensive data on the clinical and hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) gene variant characteristics and genotype-phenotype association of Chinese patients with AIP in order to improve clinicians' knowledge of AIP and reduce misdiagnosis and mistaken treatment. Methods: We searched the literature on Chinese patients with AIP in PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, ScienceDirect and Chinese literature databases up to August 2023 in our analysis to explore the clinical and HMBS gene variant characteristics of Chinese patients with AIP. Results: A total of 41 original articles associated with Chinese AIP patients were included for analysis: 97 variants were detected in 160 unrelated families, including 35 missense, 29 frameshift, 24 splicing and 9 nonsense variants, with c.517C>T being the most common variant. Clinical data were reported in 77 of 160 patients: Most of them were female (67/77) and the age was 28.8 ± 9.9 years. The most common symptom was abdominal pain (73/77, 94.8%), followed by central nervous system symptoms (45/77, 58.4%). 13.0% (10/77) of patients experienced psychiatric symptoms. Hyponatremia was the most common electrolyte abnormality (42/77). 31 patients received carbohydrate loading therapy, and 30 of them were improved. 6 patients were treated with carbohydrate loading combined with hemin therapy and 5 eventually improved. All variants causing premature stop codons, frameshifts or enzyme activity center may experience more severe clinical phenotypes such as seizures, respiratory paralysis, intracranial hemorrhage disorder or respiratory failure. Conclusion: The most common presenting symptom in Chinese AIP patients was abdominal pain, followed by central nervous system symptoms. The HMBS gene analysis in Chinese AIP patients revealed that the heterogeneity is strong and the most common variant was missense mutation, with c.517C>T being the most common variant. The genotype-phenotype association helps guide clinical diagnosis and treatment. However, the treatment for AIP in China is limited and monolithic, and more attention needs to be paid to the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ren
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of First Clinical Medical School, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jia-Jia Lei
- Department of First Clinical Medical School, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ru Li
- Department of First Clinical Medical School, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Bai-Xue Dong
- Department of First Clinical Medical School, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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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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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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Abstract
Porphyric neuropathy often poses a diagnostic dilemma; it is typically associated with the hepatic porphyrias, characterized by acute life-threatening attacks of neurovisceral symptoms that mimic a range of acute medical and psychiatric conditions. The development of acute neurovisceral attacks is responsive to environmental factors, including drugs, hormones, and diet. This chapter reviews the clinical manifestations, genetics, pathophysiology, and mechanisms of neurotoxicity of the acute hepatic porphyrias. While the etiology of the neurological manifestations in the acute porphyrias remains undefined, the main hypotheses include toxicity of porphyrin precursors and deficiency of heme synthesis. These hypotheses will be discussed with reference to novel experimental models of porphyric neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Shin-Yi Lin
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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Detection of DNA variations in the polymorphic hydroxymethylbilane synthase gene by high-resolution melting analysis. Anal Biochem 2009; 395:41-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2009.07.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2009] [Revised: 07/31/2009] [Accepted: 07/31/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Ventura P, Cappellini MD, Rocchi E. The acute porphyrias: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in internal and emergency medicine. Intern Emerg Med 2009; 4:297-308. [PMID: 19479318 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-009-0261-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2009] [Accepted: 04/29/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The porphyrias are a heterogeneous group of metabolic diseases resulting from a variable catalytic defect of one of the eight enzymes involved in the heme biosynthesis pathway; they are mostly inherited diseases, but in some circumstances the metabolic disturbance may be acquired. The specific patterns of tissue overproduction (and hence accumulation and excretion) of toxic heme precursors, associated with each enzymatic deficiency, are responsible for the characteristic biochemical and clinical features of each of these diseases. Moreover, even in the presence of a specific inherited enzymatic defect, many different environmental factors (such as drugs, calorie restriction, hormones, sunlight exposition, infections, etc.) often play a key role in triggering the clinical expression of the various forms of porphyrias. The porphyrias are often misdiagnosed diseases, due their multiform clinical manifestations, able to mimic many other more common diseases. For this reason, many different specialists, such as surgeons, psychiatrists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, emergency physicians and dermatologists may be variably involved in the diagnostic process, especially for the forms presenting with acute and life-threatening clinical features. According to the clinical features, the porphyrias can be classified into neuropsychiatric (characterized by neurovisceral crises involving autonomic and central nervous system but also the liver and the kidney with possible consequences in terms of neurological, psychic, cardiac, respiratory, liver and kidney functions), dermatological (mostly presenting with cutaneous lesions due to photosensitivity), and mixed forms. From a strictly clinical point of view, porphyrias presenting with neurovisceral attacks are also referred as acute porphyrias: they are the object of the present review. An accurate diagnosis of acute porphyria requires knowledge and the use of correct diagnostic tools, and it is mandatory to provide a more appropriate therapeutic approach and prevent the use of potentially unsafe drugs, able to severely precipitate these diseases, especially in the presence of life-threatening symptoms. To date, availability of a relatively stable haem preparation (haem arginate) has significantly improved the treatment outcome of acute porphyric attacks, so the knowledge about the diagnosis and the management of these diseases may be relevant for physicians working in internal medicine, neurology and emergency units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Ventura
- Department of Medicines and Medical Specialties, Ambulatorio delle Porfirie e delle Malattie da Disturbo del Metabolismo degli Aminoacidi, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo del Pozzo 71, Modena, Italy.
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Whatley SD, Mason NG, Woolf JR, Newcombe RG, Elder GH, Badminton MN. Diagnostic strategies for autosomal dominant acute porphyrias: retrospective analysis of 467 unrelated patients referred for mutational analysis of the HMBS, CPOX, or PPOX gene. Clin Chem 2009; 55:1406-14. [PMID: 19460837 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2008.122564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinically indistinguishable attacks of acute porphyria occur in acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), hereditary coproporphyria (HCP), and variegate porphyria (VP). There are few evidence-based diagnostic strategies for these disorders. METHODS The diagnostic sensitivity of mutation detection was determined by sequencing and gene-dosage analysis to search for mutations in 467 sequentially referred, unrelated patients. The diagnostic accuracy of plasma fluorescence scanning, fecal porphyrin analysis, and porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) assay was assessed in mutation-positive patients (AIP, 260 patients; VP, 152 patients; HCP, 31 patients). RESULTS Sensitivities (95% CI) for mutation detection were as follows: AIP, 98.1% (95.6%-99.2%); HCP, 96.9% (84.3%-99.5%); VP, 100% (95.7%-100%). We identified 5 large deletions in the HMBS gene (hydroxymethylbilane synthase) and one in the CPOX gene (coproporphyrinogen oxidase). The plasma fluorescence scan was positive more often in VP (99% of patients) than in AIP (68%) or HCP (29%). The wavelength of the fluorescence emission peak and the fecal coproporphyrin isomer ratio had high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity for differentiating between AIP, HCP, and VP. DNA analysis followed by PBGD assay in mutation-negative patients had greater diagnostic accuracy for AIP than either test alone. CONCLUSIONS When PBG excretion is increased, 2 investigations (plasma fluorescence scanning, the coproporphyrin isomer ratio) are sufficient, with rare exceptions, to identify the type of acute porphyria. When the results of PBG, 5-aminolevulinate, and porphyrin analyses are within reference intervals and clinical suspicion that a past illness was caused by an acute porphyria remains high, mutation analysis of the HMBS gene followed by PBGD assay is an effective strategy for diagnosis or exclusion of AIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon D Whatley
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology, University Hospital of Wales and School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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Abstract
Recent advances in the molecular understanding of the porphyrias now offer specific diagnosis and precise definition of the types of genetic mutations involved in the disease. Molecular diagnostic testing is powerful and very useful in kindred evaluation and genetic counselling when a disease-responsible mutation has been identified in the family. It is also the only way to properly screen asymptomatic gene carriers, facilitating correct treatment and appropriate genetic counselling of family members at risk. However, it should be noted that DNA-based testing is for the diagnosis of the gene carrier status, but not for the diagnosis of clinical syndrome or severity of the disease, e.g. an acute attack. For the diagnosis of clinically expressed porphyrias, a logical stepwise approach including the analysis of porphyrins and their precursors should not be underestimated, as it is still very useful, and is often the best from the cost-effective point of view.
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MESH Headings
- Acute Disease
- Chronic Disease
- Coproporphyria, Hereditary/diagnosis
- Coproporphyria, Hereditary/therapy
- Heme/biosynthesis
- Humans
- Porphobilinogen Synthase/metabolism
- Porphyria Cutanea Tarda/diagnosis
- Porphyria Cutanea Tarda/therapy
- Porphyria, Erythropoietic/diagnosis
- Porphyria, Erythropoietic/therapy
- Porphyria, Hepatoerythropoietic/diagnosis
- Porphyria, Hepatoerythropoietic/therapy
- Porphyria, Variegate/diagnosis
- Porphyria, Variegate/therapy
- Porphyrias/classification
- Porphyrias/diagnosis
- Porphyrias/therapy
- Porphyrias, Hepatic/diagnosis
- Porphyrias, Hepatic/therapy
- Protoporphyria, Erythropoietic/diagnosis
- Protoporphyria, Erythropoietic/therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeru Sassa
- Laboratory of Biochemical Hematology, The Rockefeller University, New York 10021, USA.
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Grob U, Puy H, Jacob K, Deybach JC, Kremer J, Doss MO. Biochemical compared to molecular diagnosis in acute intermittent porphyria. J Inherit Metab Dis 2006; 29:157-61. [PMID: 16601882 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-006-0155-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2005] [Accepted: 10/10/2005] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The biochemical and the molecular diagnoses of an inherited porphyria require experience. False positive or negative screening tests and the low penetrance of the disease make a correct diagnosis difficult.The biochemical and the molecular procedures for the diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria were applied to five unrelated patients suffering from acute intermittent porphyria. All patients were shown to be gene carriers of acute intermittent porphyria by both methods. The two different possibilities of the diagnosis corresponded well. In a family definitively identified by molecular diagnosis of one of the patients and his relatives, the patient's two children were asymptomatic. His son was shown to be a gene carrier of the father's deficiency by biochemical as well as molecular analysis, whereas his daughter was not affected by acute intermittent porphyria.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Grob
- German Competence Center for Porphyria Diagnosis and Consultation, Marburg, Germany.
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