RESPONSE TO TREATMENT IN HEREDITARY METABOLIC DISEASE - 1993 SURVEY AND 10-YEAR COMPARISON

Knowledge about cause, pathogenesis, and manifestations of hereditary metabolic diseases puts them among the best known of ah human diseases . On the other hand, outcomes of treatment are cause for uncertainty a nd concern. In 1985, Hayes et al. analyzed efficacy of treatment up to 1983 in 65 of these diseases selected randomly from the McKusick cata logs. Disease scores were calculated for seven parameters: longevity; reproductive capability; somatic and cognitive development; and handic aps affecting schooling, work, and cosmetic appearance. Scores of the untreated and treated phenotypes were then compared. We have now measu red progress over the past decade by calculating scores on the same 65 diseases from data in several hundred new reports published since 198 3. Ah seven parameters in the 1993 survey reflect improved efficacy of treatment in the 10-year interval. However, the percent of diseases f or which all manifestations of the disease were removed by treatment h as not changed (12% in 1983; 12% in 1993). The group in which manifest ations were untouched by treatment has become smaller (48% in 1983; 31 % in 1993), and the group partially ameliorated by treatment had incre ased reciprocally (40% in 1983; 57% in 1993). Progress in the treatmen t of hereditary metabolic disease is thus better than it was, but it i s still only a partial success. The advances are attributable to great er success with organ and tissue transplantation, better pharmacothera py, and better support systems. Restoration of normal homeostasis, the key to successful treatment, remains an elusive challenge and is a lo gical, major focus for research in human genetics.