Abstract
Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by pathogenic mutations in the alpha-galactosidase A (AGALA) encoding gene region. This rare disease affects several organs induding the cochlea-vestibular system.
Tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) are reported among otoneurological symptoms. Early and correct diagnosis of FD is important with a view to available therapy.
The aim of the study was to screen for alpha-galactosidase deficiency in men with tinnitus/SNHL. A prospective multicentric study induding consecutive patients with SNHL confirmed by tone audiometry or tinnitus evaluated (10/2016-8/2019).
The diagnosis of AGALA deficiency was done by dry blood spot method using a threshold of 1.2 mu mol/l/h. Only men aged 18-60 were induded. 181 patients were subject to evaluation.
SNHL was reported in 126 (70%) patients, 50 (28%) patients had unilateral, 76 (42%) patients had bilateral SNHL. Tinnitus was found in 161 (89%) patients, unilateral in 96 (53%) and bilateral in 65 (36%) patients.
Suspected FD was not detected in any patient; alpha-galactosidase The AGALA values ranged 1.5-8.8 mu mol/l/h, an average of 3.4 mu mol/l/h. None of the 181 patients participating in the study had AGALA levels below the threshold 1.2 mu mol/l/h.
The occurrence of tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss in men appears to be an irrelevant clinical sign for FD systematic screening.