Abstract
Transthyretin-related Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (ATTR Amyloidosis, former FAP,
here called TTR-FAP) is a rare, progressive autosomal dominant inherited amyloid disease
ending fatal within 5 – 15 years after final diagnosis. TTR-FAP is caused by mutations
of transthyretin (TTR), which forms amyloid fibrils affecting peripheral and autonomic
nerves, the heart and other organs. Due to the phenotypic heterogeneity and partly
not specific enough clinical symptoms, diagnosis of TTR-FAP can be complicated. False
diagnoses can include idiopathic polyneuropathy, chronic inflammatory demyelinating
polyneuropathy, diabetic neuropathy as well as paraneoplastic syndrome. Hence, it
is assumed that many cases remain unreported. Early and correct diagnosis of TTR-FAP
is crucial, since appropriate therapeutic options exist. TTR-FAP should always be
differentially diagnosed, when apart from a progressive peripheral polyneuropathy,
additional symptoms as autonomic dysfunction, cardiomyopathy, gastrointestinal disorders,
unexpected loss of weight, carpal tunnel syndrome, restrictions of renal function,
epileptic fits, and corneal and vitreous body clouding occur. Histological evidence
of amyloid and successive immunohistochemical evidence of transthyretin as well as
genetic testing for transthyretin mutations, lead to an accurate diagnosis.
Selten, progredient und tödlich – so könnte man in nur 3 Worten die Transthyretin-assoziierte
Familiäre Amyloid-Polyneuropathie beschreiben. Diese vererbte Amyloiderkrankung verläuft
nach Diagnosestellung binnen ca. 5 – 15 Jahren letal. Umso wichtiger ist es, dieses
Krankheitsbild zu erkennen, da die Symptome mannigfaltig sind. Wussten Sie zum Beispiel,
dass ein Karpaltunnelsyndrom das Erstsymptom sein kann? Dieser Artikel soll typische
Symptome vermitteln, damit Sie in Zukunft an die Differenzialdiagnose einer TTR-FAP
denken.
Schlüsselwörter
Transthyretin - Amyloidose - Polyneuropathie - therapeutische Oligonukleotide - Leber
Key words
transthyretin - amyloidosis - polyneuropathy - therapeutic oligonucleotides - liver