Fabry disease: diagnosis base don skin symptoms

Authors

  • Belén Coba Dr. Cosme Argerich General Acute Hospital, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Andrea Soliani Dr. Cosme Argerich General Acute Hospital, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Yanina Berberian Dr. Cosme Argerich General Acute Hospital, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Mariana Demarchi Dr. Cosme Argerich General Acute Hospital, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Vicenta Neglia Dr. Cosme Argerich General Acute Care Hospital, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47196/da.v31i3.2968

Keywords:

angiokeratoma, Fabry disease, alpha galactosidace A

Abstract

Fabry disease, also known as Anderson-Fabry disease, an X-linked entity with a pathogenic variant in the GLA gene, results in reduced or absent activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. This deficiency leads to the accumulation of glycosphingolipids in multiple tissues.

Clinical symptoms typically emerge during childhood. Without early specific treatment, the disease progresses, affecting vital organs with risk of complications like: renal failure, cardiac ventricular hypertrophy, and stroke. The variability in clinical presentation and nonspecific symptoms often complicates and delays diagnosis. Skin involvement is prevalent and early (66% in men and 35% in women), making it a crucial factor in suspecting the disease.

Author Biographies

Belén Coba, Dr. Cosme Argerich General Acute Hospital, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Doctor of the Dermatology Specialist Program, UBA, Dermatology Unit

Andrea Soliani, Dr. Cosme Argerich General Acute Hospital, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Staff Physician, Dermatology Unit

Yanina Berberian, Dr. Cosme Argerich General Acute Hospital, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Staff Physician, Dermatology Unit

Mariana Demarchi, Dr. Cosme Argerich General Acute Hospital, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Dermatologist, Dermatology Unit

Vicenta Neglia, Dr. Cosme Argerich General Acute Care Hospital, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Head of the Dermatology Unit

References

I. Palaiodimou L, Kokotis P, Zompola C, Papagiannopoulou G, et ál. Fabry disease: current and novel therapeutic strategies. A narrative review. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2023; 21:440-456.

II. Olivera-González S, Josa-Laorden C, Torralba-Cabeza M.A. Fisiopatología de la enfermedad de Fabry. Rev Clin Esp. 2018;218:22-28.

III. Mehta A, Hughes DA. Fabry disease. 2002. En: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, et ál. GeneReviews®.

IV. Mohta A, Mohta, A, Kumari P. An unusual case of Anderson-Fabry disease: case report. JMIR Dermatology. 2024;7:1-4.

V. Rozenfeld P. Enfermedad de Fabry en la Argentina. Acta Bioquim Clin Latinoam. 2016; 50:000-0.

VI. Anker P, Fésűs L, Kiss N, Lengyel A, et ál. A cross-sectional study of the dermatological manifestations of patients with Fabry disease and the assessment of angiokeratomas with multimodal imaging. Diagnostics. 2023;13:2368.

VII. Palombo M, Achenbach RE. Enfermedad de Fabry: comunicación de ocho casos. Rev Argent Dermatol. 2011;92:18-45.

VIII. Peralta R. Angiomas y angioqueratomas. En: Cabo H, Cohen E, Peralta R, González VM, et ál. Dermatoscopia 3era ed. Ed Journal, Ciudad de Buenos AiresABA, 2024:103-111.

IX. Guinovart RM, Bielsa I, Pintos-Morell G, Ferrandiz C. Enfermedad de Fabry: espectro clínico de los angioqueratomas. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2013;104:261-263.

X. Rodríguez-Moreno A, Herrero-Calvo JA. Nefropatía de la enfermedad de Fabry. En: Lorenzo V, López Gómez JM (Eds). Nefrología al día. ISSN: 2659-2606. Disponible en: https://www.nefrologiaaldia.org/626.

Published

2025-12-01

Issue

Section

Clinical Cases