For hereditary ATTR (hATTR) amyloidosis diagnosed at age 50 or older, treatment can make a significant difference. Research on tafamidis, one of the key treatments, showed that people diagnosed at 50 or older had an 82% lower risk of death compared to those who went untreated. More broadly, people with hATTR amyloidosis Show Full Answer
For hereditary ATTR (hATTR) amyloidosis diagnosed at age 50 or older, treatment can make a significant difference. Research on tafamidis, one of the key treatments, showed that people diagnosed at 50 or older had an 82% lower risk of death compared to those who went untreated. More broadly, people with hATTR amyloidosis today are living over a decade or longer after diagnosis, thanks to newer treatments. Without treatment, the median survival for late-onset hATTR amyloidosis is around 7 years — but with treatment, that outlook improves considerably.
Several factors influence how long someone lives after diagnosis, including:
- Which gene mutation is involved
- Which organs are affected
- How early the diagnosis was made
- Access to timely treatment
It's worth noting that not all hereditary amyloidosis is the same. For example, those with fibrinogen gene mutations often live 15 years or more, and gelsolin gene mutations may not impact lifespan at all.
The best person to give a personalized picture of life expectancy is your doctor, who can factor in your specific mutation, organ involvement, and treatment plan.
August 30