The European reference network for metabolic diseases (MetabERN) clinical pathway recommendations for Pompe disease (acid maltase deficiency, glycogen storage disease type II)
Authors: Parenti Giancarlo , Fecarotta Simona , Alagia Marianna , Attaianese Federica , Verde Alessandra , Tarallo Antonietta , Gragnaniello Vincenza , Ziagaki Athanasia , Guimaraes Maria Jose’ , Aguiar Patricio , Hahn Andreas , Azevedo Olga , Donati Maria Alice , Kiec-Wilk Beata , Scarpa Maurizio , van der Beek Nadine A. M. E. , Del Toro Riera Mireja , Germain Dominique P. , Huidekoper Hidde , van den Hout Johanna M. P. , van der Ploeg Ans T. ,   and the MetabERN Subnetwork for Lysosomal Disorders, Baric Ivo , Batzios Spyros , Belmatoug Nadia , Bordugo Andrea , Bosch Annet M. , Brassier Anais , Burlina Alberto , Cassiman David , Chabrol Brigitte , Chronopoulou Efstathia , Couce-Pico Maria Luz , Darin Niklas , Das Anibh M. , Debray Francois G. , Deegan Patrick , de Abreu Freire Diogo Matos Luisa M. , De Las Heras Montero Javier , Di Rocco Maja , Dobbelaere Dries , Eyskens Francois , Ferreira Ana , Gaspar Ana M. , Gasperini Serena , López Antonio González-Meneses , Grosso Salvatore , Guffon-Fouilhoux Nathalie , Hennermann Julia , Hiwot Tarekegn G. , Jones Simon , Kingma Sandra , Komninaka Veroniki , Martín-Hernández Elena , Martins Esmeralda , Miclea Diana , Pfliegler György , Rodrigues Esmeralda , Rokicki Dariusz , Roland Dominique , Rutsch Frank , Salviati Alessandro , Tournev Ivailo , Ullrich Kurt , van Hasselt Peter M. , Vijay Suresh , Weinhold Natalie , Witters Peter , Zeman Jiri 
Published: November 2024

Clinical pathway recommendations (CPR) are based on existing guidelines and deliver a short overview on how to deal with a specific diagnosis, resulting therapy and follow-up. In this paper we propose a methodology for developing CPRs for Pompe disease, a metabolic myopathy caused by deficiency of lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase. The CPR document was developed within the activities of the MetabERN, a non-profit European Reference Network for Metabolic Diseases established by the European Union. A working group was selected among members of the MetabERN lysosomal storage disease subnetwork, with specific expertise in the care of Pompe disease, and patient support group representatives. The working strategy was based on a systematic literature search to develop a database, followed by quality assessment of the studies selected from the literature, and by the development of the CPR document according to a matrix provided by MetabERN. Quality assessment of the literature and collection of citations was conducted according to the AGREE II criteria and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. General aspects were addressed in the document, including pathophysiology, genetics, frequency, classification, manifestations and clinical approach, laboratory diagnosis and multidisciplinary evaluation, therapy and supportive measures, follow-up, monitoring, and pregnancy. The CPR document that was developed was intended to be a concise and easy-to-use tool for standardization of care for patients among the healthcare providers that are members of the network or are involved in the care for Pompe disease patients.