Impact of the Disease

Alpha Mannosidosis is a lifelong multi-systemic progressive disease, with neuromuscular and skeletal deterioration over decades.1

A patient’s quality of life is often severely impacted by disease progression, which manifests itself across all ages along a continuum. Progressive impairment is seen across multiple areas, including endurance, mobility, respiratory and neurocognitive development.2 3

During the first decade of life, a child with the condition may have frequent infections, hearing problems, distinctive facial features and developmental delay.4

Alpha Mannosidosis life expectancy

Over the following decades, an adult may experience difficulties with movement, such as joint problems, swelling, an unsteady gait and muscle weakness.5

The long-term forecast for the condition is poor.6
There is generally a slow progression of neuromuscular and bone changes over decades. There may be behavioural problems, or psychiatric disorders.7 8

Independent living will be difficult, and Alpha Mannosidosis patients may become socially isolated, and during the late stages of the disease, they may become wheelchair bound, as they can no longer walk unaided.9 This is likely to have a negative impact upon the quality of life of care givers and family members.10 11

  1. Malm D & Nilssen ø. Alpha-mannosidosis. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2008;3:21
  2. Malm D & Nilssen ø. Alpha-mannosidosis. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2008;3:21
  3. Borgwardt L, Lund AM, Dali CI. Alpha-mannosidosis – a review of genetic, clinical findings and options for treatment. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev 2014;12 Suppl 1:185-91
  4. Beck M Olsen KJ, Wraith JE et al. Natural history of alpha-mannosidosis: a longitudinal study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2013;8:88
  5. Malm D & Nilssen ø. Alpha-mannosidosis. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2008;3:21
  6. Malm D & Nilssen ø. Alpha-mannosidosis. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2008;3:21
  7. Malm D & Nilssen ø. Alpha-mannosidosis. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2008;3:21
  8. Beck M Olsen KJ, Wraith JE et al. Natural history of alpha-mannosidosis: a longitudinal study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2013;8:88
  9. Malm D & Nilssen ø. Alpha-mannosidosis. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2008;3:21
  10. Malm D & Nilssen ø. Alpha-mannosidosis. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2008;3:21
  11. Borgwardt L, Lund AM, Dali CI. Alpha-mannosidosis – a review of genetic, clinical findings and options for treatment. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev 2014;12 Suppl 1:185-91

The information on this website is intended only to provide knowledge of Alpha Mannosidosis disease health topics. This information should not be used in place of advice from your GP or other healthcare professional. If in doubt please contact your doctor for advice. This website has been produced by Chiesi Pharmaceuticals. The website has been developed in accordance with industry and legal standards to provide information for healthcare professionals and the general public about Alpha Mannosidosis disease health topics. Chiesi Pharmaceuticals makes every reasonable effort to include accurate and current information. However, the information provided in this website is not exhaustive.