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Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 causing end-stage renal disease in a 45-year-old patient
T David-Walek1, C Niederstadt, P M Rob
1Medizinische Klinik I, Medizinische Universität Lübeck, Germany.
Insights
Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a genetic disorder causing kidney failure. Early diagnosis and liver transplantation are crucial for managing this rare condition and preventing severe complications.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Metabolism
- Nephrology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) results from a deficiency in the liver enzyme alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase.
- It is an autosomal recessive disorder with early childhood onset, leading to severe kidney damage and end-stage renal failure in most patients by age 25.
- Complications include generalized oxalosis, bone disease, peripheral gangrene, and poor survival on hemodialysis due to arrhythmias.
Observation:
- A case of PH1 presenting with late manifestations at age 45 is described.
- The patient's diagnosis was delayed due to non-specific symptoms like kidney stones and recurrent pyelonephritis.
- This highlights the importance of considering PH1 even with atypical presentations.
Findings:
- PH1 is characterized by the accumulation of oxalate, leading to nephrolithiasis and renal failure.
- Dialysis is ineffective for removing daily oxalate production, necessitating early intervention.
- Liver transplantation is the definitive treatment to address the underlying enzyme deficiency.
Implications:
- This case underscores the need for heightened clinical suspicion for PH1, especially in patients with recurrent kidney issues.
- Understanding the clinical course and diagnostic challenges is vital for timely management.
- Early transplantation offers the best prognosis for PH1 patients, preventing life-threatening complications.
Abstract:
Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is caused by deficiency of peroxisomal alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase which is in humans exclusively expressed in liver cells. The disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, and initial symptoms usually occur in early childhood. Up to the age of 25 years, 90% of the patients are symptomatic, and many patients develop end-stage renal failure. Pronounced medical care is necessary in PH1 patients to prevent generalized oxalosis with complications due to bone disease and peripheral gangrene. The rather short survival of patients on hemodialysis is caused by sudden arrhythmias and heart block. As no dialysis procedure is able to remove the daily produced oxalate, early transplantation is mandatory. Our 45-year-old patient is remarkable on the basis of the late manifestations of PH1. The diagnosis was delayed by unspecific symptoms of nephrolithiasis with recurrent pyelonephritis. Clinical course and diagnostic cornerstones of primary hyperoxaluria are outlined. The principles of conservative treatment and experiences with dialysis and transplantation are discussed.
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