Fabry disease

Fabry disease is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder in which deficiency of alpha-galactosidase A leads to accumulation of substrate, mostly globotriaosylceramide, which causes a progressive, multiorgan disease affecting predominantly the kidneys, skin, heart, and nervous system. Painful peripheral (‘acral’) neuropathy is characteristic. Key clinical signs are angiokeratoma found by close examination of skin; characteristic eye lesions may be seen; lipid deposits may be seen in urine. Renal biopsy appearances are characteristic and this is commonly where the diagnosis is first made. Increasingly, cardiologists are suspecting the condition in adults with echocardiographic appearances of left ventricular hypertrophy. Diagnosis in men is usually made by measurement of alpha-galactosidase in either white cells or plasma (or using blood spots). Unfortunately, many female patients can have normal enzyme levels so that genetic testing is the only way to confirm a diagnosis. Non-selective screening strategies (e.g. males on renal replacement therapy with uncertain renal diagnoses) have had low yields.