Factors Influencing the Phenotypic Expression of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Genetic Carriers.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disorder with variable expression. It is mainly caused by mutations in sarcomeric genes but the phenotype could be modulated by other factors. The aim of this study was to determine whether factors such as sex, systemic hypertension, or physical activity are modifiers of disease severity and to establish their role in age-related penetrance of HCM. METHODS: We evaluated 272 individuals (mean age 49 ± 17 years, 57% males) from 72 families with causative mutations. The relationship between sex, hypertension, physical activity, and left ventricular hypertrophy was studied. RESULTS: The proportion of affected individuals increased with age. Men developed the disease 12.5 years earlier than women (adjusted median, 95%CI, -17.52 to -6.48; P < .001). Hypertensive patients were diagnosed with HCM later (10.8 years of delay) than normotensive patients (adjusted median, 95%CI, 6.28-17.09; P < .001). Individuals who performed physical activity were diagnosed with HCM significantly earlier (7.3 years, adjusted median, 95%CI, -14.49 to -1.51; P = .016). Sex, hypertension, and the degree of physical activity were not significantly associated with the severity of left ventricular hypertrophy. Adjusted survival both free from sudden death and from the combined event were not influenced by any of the exploratory variables. CONCLUSIONS: Men and athletes who are carriers of sarcomeric mutations are diagnosed earlier than women and sedentary individuals. Hypertensive carriers of sarcomeric mutations have a delayed diagnosis. Sex, hypertension, and physical activity are not associated with disease severity in carriers of HCM causative mutations.

Factores que influyen en la expresión fenotípica de la miocardiopatía hipertrófica en portadores genéticos / Factors influencing the phenotypic expression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in genetic carriers

Introducción y objetivos: La miocardiopatía hipertrófica (MCH) es una enfermedad con expresión variable, causada principalmente por mutaciones en genes sarcoméricos, aunque otros factores podrían estar modulando el fenotipo. El objetivo es determinar si el sexo, la hipertensión arterial o la actividad física son moduladores de la gravedad de la enfermedad y establecer su papel en la penetrancia en relación con la edad al diagnóstico de la MCH. Métodos: Se evaluó a 272 individuos (media de edad, 49 ± 17 años; el 57% varones) procedentes de 72 familias con mutación causal y se estudió la relación del sexo, la hipertensión y la actividad física con la hipertrofia ventricular izquierda. Resultados: La proporción de afectados aumenta con la edad. Se diagnosticó a los varones una mediana ajustada de 12,5 años (IC95%, -17,52 a -6,48; p < 0,001) antes que a las mujeres. A los pacientes hipertensos, se les diagnosticó MCH una mediana ajustada de 10,8 años (IC95%, 6,28-17,09; p < 0,001) más tarde que a los normotensos. A los individuos que hacían ejercicio, se los diagnosticó significativamente antes (mediana ajustada, 7,3 años; IC95%, -14,49 a -1,51; p = 0,016). El sexo, la hipertensión y el ejercicio no resultaron significativamente asociados con la gravedad de la hipertrofia del ventrículo izquierdo. Los factores explorados no influyen en la supervivencia ajustada libre de muerte súbita y el evento combinado. Conclusiones: Se diagnostica a los varones y los deportistas portadores de mutaciones sarcoméricas antes que a las mujeres y los individuos sedentarios. Los portadores de mutaciones sarcoméricas hipertensos tienen un retraso en el diagnóstico. El sexo, la hipertensión y el ejercicio no se asocian con la gravedad de la enfermedad en portadores de mutaciones causales de MCH (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disorder with variable expression. It is mainly caused by mutations in sarcomeric genes but the phenotype could be modulated by other factors. The aim of this study was to determine whether factors such as sex, systemic hypertension, or physical activity are modifiers of disease severity and to establish their role in age-related penetrance of HCM. Methods: We evaluated 272 individuals (mean age 49 ± 17 years, 57% males) from 72 families with causative mutations. The relationship between sex, hypertension, physical activity, and left ventricular hypertrophy was studied. Results: The proportion of affected individuals increased with age. Men developed the disease 12.5 years earlier than women (adjusted median, 95%CI, -17.52 to -6.48; P < .001). Hypertensive patients were diagnosed with HCM later (10.8 years of delay) than normotensive patients (adjusted median, 95%CI, 6.28-17.09; P < .001). Individuals who performed physical activity were diagnosed with HCM significantly earlier (7.3 years, adjusted median, 95%CI, -14.49 to -1.51; P = .016). Sex, hypertension, and the degree of physical activity were not significantly associated with the severity of left ventricular hypertrophy. Adjusted survival both free from sudden death and from the combined event were not influenced by any of the exploratory variables. Conclusions: Men and athletes who are carriers of sarcomeric mutations are diagnosed earlier than women and sedentary individuals. Hypertensive carriers of sarcomeric mutations have a delayed diagnosis. Sex, hypertension, and physical activity are not associated with disease severity in carriers of HCM causative mutations (AU)