Journal of nephrology
-
Journal of nephrology · May 2003
ReviewPortuguese-type amyloidosis (transthyretin amyloidosis, ATTR V30M).
Portuguese-type amyloidosis (transthyretin amyloidosis, ATTR V30M) is the most common form of systemic hereditary amyloidosis, inherited in autosomal dominant mode. The disease, also called familial amyloid polyneuropathy type I (FAP-I), is caused by a mutant transthyretin (TTR) protein, which is synthesized by the liver. A single amino acid substitution of methionine for valine at position 30 of the TTR molecule (TTR V30M) was found in Portuguese patients. ⋯ The progression towards end-stage renal disease (ESRD) affects 10% of the patients, and the survival after initiation of dialysis is a mean of 21 months. Patients who progress to ESRD have a late onset of neuropathy and lower prevalence of clinical disease in their families. Liver transplantation is a widely accepted treatment for FAP-I, and combined liver-kidney transplantation is also an option for selected patients with FAP-I and ESRD.