Are symptoms of peripheral neuropathy more prevalent in patients with Gaucher disease?

A previous epidemiological survey from an American referral clinic noted a high incidence of neurological symptoms among patients with type I (non-neuronopathic) Gaucher disease all of whom were treated with specific enzyme replacement.

The current study replicates the above in a larger cohort of Ashkenazi Jewish patients with at least one N370S mutation which has been assumed to be protective of neurological involvement. About half the patients had mild disease and were untreated. Methods - Self-reporting questionnaires were sent to patients and their significant others as socio-economically matched controls.

There was no significant difference between groups in incidence of concomitant diseases and medications, except patients who reported a significantly higher incidence of vitamin B(12) deficiency and gammopathies. Patients reported significantly higher incidence of virtually all symptoms and signs of peripheral neuropathy and a significantly higher number of symptoms than controls (mean 4.4 vs 2.4).

The conclusion of this study, as of the seminal study, is that the high incidence of neurological complaints in patients with the non-neuronopathic form of Gaucher disease should be viewed in the context of concomitant illnesses, specifically, vitamin B(12) deficiency and gammopathies, regardless of the need for enzyme replacement therapy.