Glycogen Storage Disease Due To Muscle Phosphofructokinase Deficiency
Muscle phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency (Tarui's disease), or glycogen storage disease type 7 (GSD7), is a rare form of glycogen storage disease characterized by exertional fatigue and muscular exercise intolerance. It occurs in childhood.
Epidemiology
About 100 cases have been reported worldwide.
Clinical description
Clinical signs are muscular exercise intolerance (more severe than in type 5; see this term). Compensated hemolysis (increased bilirubin and reticulocytes) and hyperuricemia are associated. A rapidly fatal infant form has also been observed in 6 families.
Etiology
The condition is caused by mutations in the PFKM gene (12q13) encoding the muscular isoenzyme of PFK, a key enzyme in the regulation of anaerobic glycolysis which has 3 isoenzymes (for the muscle, liver, and platelets).
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis is based on biological findings, revealing increased amounts of abnormal glycogen and enzyme deficiency (1 to 33% residual activity) in a muscle biopsy, whereas activity in erythrocytes is over 50%.
Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnoses include the other forms of glycogen storage disease (see these terms).
Genetic counseling
The condition is autosomal recessive, although a few cases with pseudodominance or symptomatic heterozygous individuals have been found.
Management and treatment
The only treatment is to avoid intensive exercise. It should be noted that carbohydrates induce lower muscular performance (due to the decreased amounts of free fatty acids and ketone bodies).
Prognosis
Myoglobinuria may lead to renal failure.