Review article
Arthropathia ochronotica
Damir Matoković
Mihovil Plečko
Krešimir Crnogaća
Nika Šlaus
Boris Žulj
Marko Pećina
Abstract
Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disease caused by a disorder of phenylala- nine and tyrosine metabolism, resulting in accumulation and deposition of homogentisic acid (HGA) in the body. This deposition further causes progressive functional disorders in different organ systems, with the locomotor system being the most affected one. A specific triad of symptoms occurs in patients suffering from AKU: 1. at birth, a change of urine color is present when urine is exposed to air, 2. oc- currence of dark pigmentations in connective tissues becomes visible over time, 3. complications of the locomotor, urogenital and cardiovascular systems present gradually.
Arthropathia ochronotica occurs in patients suffering from AKU due to precipitation and deposition of HGA in the joint tissue (cartilage, tendons, ligaments, menisci, etc.). The accumulation can be seen as small foci of blue-black pigmentations. HGA deposits in collagen fibers, causing tendons and liga- ments thickening. This causes them to be less resistant to mechanical forces, resulting in frequent rup- tures caused by minimal trauma. Also, the deposition facilitates cartilage degeneration, often requiring an operative treatment. The knees are the most commonly affected joints, while changes can be seen in the spine and other large joints.
As there is no specific treatment, alleviation of symptoms is the only treatment option. It has the goal of increasing individual functionality and quality of life. As an option for end-stage treatment, joint replacement surgery proved to be effective. In the future, an enzyme replacement therapy or gene therapy may be developed to treat AKU successfully.
Keywords
alkaptonuria; ochronosis; joint diseases; diagnostic imaging; therapeutics;
Hrčak ID:
248898
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2020.
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