Adult complications of nephropathic cystinosis: a systematic review

While nephropathic cystinosis is classically thought of as a childhood disease, with improved treatments, patients are more commonly living into adulthood. We performed a systematic review of the literature available on what complications this population faces as it ages. Nearly every organ system is affected in cystinosis, either from the disease itself or from sequelae of kidney transplantation. While cysteamine is known to delay the onset of end-stage kidney disease, its effects on other complications of cystinosis are less well determined. More common adult-onset complications include myopathy, diabetes, and hypothyroidism. Some less common complications, such as neurologic dysfunction, can still have a profound impact on those with cystinosis. Areas for further research in this area include additional study of the impact of cysteamine on the nonrenal manifestations of cystinosis, as well as possible avenues for new and novel treatments.

Automated summary

Nephropathic cystinosis, traditionally seen as a childhood disease, is now allowing patients to live into adulthood with improved treatments. Complications faced by aging patients with cystinosis affect almost every organ system, with common adult-onset issues including myopathy, diabetes, and hypothyroidism. Further research is needed to explore the effects of cysteamine on nonrenal manifestations of cystinosis and to develop new treatments.