MPS VI disease progression varies
Age at symptom recognition, severity of symptoms, and rate of disease progression vary dramatically in MPS VI. Yet, most patients eventually experience significant declines in physical and functional well-being, ultimately become wheelchair-bound or bedridden, and die prematurely.1 Physical limitations can also impact learning and development of motor skills.2
Rapidly progressing MPS VI
Patients with rapidly progressing disease experience symptom recognition early on in life and severe debilitation. Death from infections, complications related to surgeries, and cardiopulmonary disease usually occur when they are teenagers or young adults. Rapidly progressing disease is very apparent at an early age.2 Look for:
- Macrocephaly
- Skeletal abnormalities
- Fixed flexion of fingers
- Hepatomegaly
- Umbilical hernia
The progression of MPS VI

Slowly progressing MPS VI
Unlike rapidly progressing patients, slowly progressing patients often do not exhibit obvious symptoms. Differentiation into rapidly and slowly progressing disease is only apparent in extreme cases. The entire spectrum of the disease inhibits physical and functional well-being and results in a markedly shortened lifespan.2,3
- Major causes of mortality include cardiac and pulmonary complications, and complications from surgery and general anesthesia2
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