Diagnostic Algorithm for Cholesteryl Ester Storage Disease: Clinical Presentation in 19 Polish Patients.

BACKGROUND

Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal lipid storage disorder that results in an early-onset, severe, and lethal phenotype, known as Wolman disease, or a late-onset, attenuated phenotype, cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD). The aim of our study was to describe the clinical presentation of CESD, focusing on the first noted abnormalities in patients. A diagnostic algorithm of CESD was also proposed.

METHODS

This is an observational, 1-center study of 19 Polish patients with late-onset LAL-D.

RESULTS

The mean age at which the first symptoms were reported was 4 years and 6 months. A mild hepatomegaly was the most common initial abnormality observed in all (100%) patients. Seven (37%) patients were noted to have mildly to moderately elevated serum transaminases. At the time of first hospitalization all (100%) patients presented with hepatomegaly, 15 (79%) patients presented with elevated serum transaminases and all (100%) patients had dyslipidemia. The mean age at the time of CESD diagnosis was 7 years and 2 months. Diagnoses were based on a deficient LAL activity in leukocytes (in all patients) and the LIPA gene mutations (in 47% of them). All the patients were carriers for the mutation c.894G>A in the LIPA gene. There was approximately a 3-year delay from initial symptoms to final diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatomegaly constitutes the most common presenting clinical sign of CESD. Hepatomegaly and dyslipidemia defined as elevated serum total and LDL cholesterol, elevated triglycerides and normal to low HDL cholesterol, comprises the most characteristic findings at CESD diagnosis.