title: Mucopolysaccharidosis VI: the Italian experience.
abstract: The current paper describes the natural history and management of mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI) in all patients currently diagnosed with the disease in Italy. Nine patients (5.5-14.4 years) were included in the data review in March 2008. Gestational and perinatal data were normal for all patients. Median age at diagnosis was 1.9 years. During the course of the disease, all patients developed coarsened facial features, short stature, heart valve disease, eye problems, musculoskeletal problems, hepatosplenomegaly and neurological abnormalities. All patients received rhASB enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and showed improvement or stabilisation in clinical manifestations after onset of therapy. The most frequently reported improvements were increased joint mobility and reduced hepatosplenomegaly. No relevant safety issues of ERT were reported. In conclusion, patients in Italy with MPS VI are diagnosed early in life. All patients have access to ERT and appear to benefit from this therapy.
authors.affiliation: University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scarpa
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiumara
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Astarita
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parenti
authors.forename: Angelica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rampazzo
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sorge
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009087:Mucopolysaccharidosis VI / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome