MPS VI patient care
The multiple impacts of MPS VI require a combined strategy to manage specific symptoms while targeting underlying disease with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Early treatment may optimize outcomes and the potential benefits of ERT with NAGLAZYME® (galsulfase).1
Integrated care, usually supervised by a clinical geneticist, will involve multiple specialists to address specific needs.2 Throughout treatment, regular multisystem monitoring and assessments are a must.2 As patients age, it is important to plan the transition to adult care to ensure that the appropriate care is in place.3
Integrated disease management
According to the 2019 management guidelines for mucopolysaccharidosis VI, integrated management of the progressive, multisystemic disease manifestations is essential.2 Although treatment options have been limited in the past, enzyme replacement therapy with NAGLAZYME has demonstrated enduring benefits with long-term therapy and improved the outlook for patients with MPS VI.4
Symptom-based care: it takes a team
While targeting the underlying disease, the coordinating clinician will also need to arrange for symptom-based care by specialists equipped to address the specific manifestations of the disease. Here are some key issues and recommended referrals5:
- Valvular heart disease: refer to a cardiologist
- Conductive and sensorineural hearing loss: refer to an audiologist for periodic hearing evaluations
- Corneal clouding and eventual significant visual impairment: refer to an ophthalmologist for initial and follow-up slit-lamp and fundoscopic exams
- Spinal cord compression secondary to thickening of the dura in the cervical canal (leads to myelopathy): refer to a neurosurgeon or orthopedist
- Airway obstruction, hyperventilation, and sleep apnea: refer to a pulmonologist for regular evaluation

Specific treatment for symptoms associated with MPS VI5-9
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Symptom-based procedures
Symptom-based treatment addresses individual complications of MPS VI as they arise, and may include10:
- Antibiotics and other symptom-based medications
- Pain management
- Surgery
- Adaptive or supportive devices
- Physical or occupational therapy
The transition to adult care3
As MPS VI patients age, it is important to plan the transition to adulthood, to ensure that the appropriate support is extended beyond the scope of pediatric care and parental supervision. This transition should be tailored to each patient’s specific needs, so that those who can take over their own care have the tools they need, and those with limited capacities have the appropriate care and services in place to support them.3
Planning required3
The transition to adult care should include assessment of a patient’s capacities to determine what he or she may be able to handle. Much of that consideration revolves around the patient’s ability to communicate information about his or her condition. With that determination made, the right choices for continuing care should be offered. It is important to remember that this process is very gradual. The pediatric geneticist or other clinician coordinating the MPS VI patient’s care may need to oversee the transition until the patient has achieved his or her capabilities and is integrated into the adult system. It is important to have a formal, site-specific transition strategy that includes joint visits with the pediatrician and adult patient physician. Families and patients should be encouraged to be involved in this process.11
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