Transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy in France: A cross-sectional study with 413 patients and real-world tafamidis meglumine use (2009-2019)

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2024 Sep;180(7):661-672. doi: 10.1016/j.neurol.2024.02.393. Epub 2024 Apr 19.

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to describe characteristics of patients with ATTR variant polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) and ATTRv-mixed and assess the real-world use and safety profile of tafamidis meglumine 20mg.

Methods: Thirty-eight French hospitals were invited. Patient files were reviewed to identify clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and treatment compliance.

Results: Four hundred and thirteen patients (296 ATTRv-PN, 117 ATTRv-mixed) were analyzed. Patients were predominantly male (68.0%) with a mean age of 57.2±17.2 years. Interval between first symptom(s) and diagnosis was 3.4±4.3 years. First symptoms included sensory complaints (85.9%), dysautonomia (38.5%), motor deficits (26.4%), carpal tunnel syndrome (31.5%), shortness of breath (13.3%), and unexplained weight loss (16.0%). Mini-invasive accessory salivary gland or punch skin and nerve biopsies were most common, with a performance of 78.8-100%. TTR genetic sequencing, performed in all patients, revealed 31 TTR variants. Tafamidis meglumine was initiated in 156/214 (72.9%) ATTRv-PN patients at an early disease stage. Median treatment duration was 6.00 years in ATTRv-PN and 3.42 years in ATTRv-mixed patients. Tafamidis was well tolerated, with 20 adverse events likely related to study drug among the 336 patients.

Conclusion: In France, ATTRv patients are usually identified early thanks to the national network and the help of diagnosis combining genetic testing and mini-invasive biopsies.

Keywords: Amyloidosis; Polyneuropathy; Real-world data; Tafamidis meglumine; Transthyretin.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial* / diagnosis
  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial* / drug therapy
  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial* / epidemiology
  • Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial* / genetics
  • Benzoxazoles* / adverse effects
  • Benzoxazoles* / therapeutic use
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prealbumin / genetics

Substances

  • Benzoxazoles
  • tafamidis
  • Prealbumin

Supplementary concepts

  • Amyloidosis, Hereditary, Transthyretin-Related