Introducing a revised version of the Kumamoto scale as an easy-to-use clinical tool for monitoring multisystemic changes in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis.

BACKGROUND

Hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis is a rare but life-threatening multisystemic disease. Multiple disease-modifying treatments are now available and standardised instruments for early detection and disease monitoring are essential. Still, validated and easy-to-use tools for clinical follow-up are scarce.

METHODS

The Kumamoto scale was first described in 1997 as a method for systematically evaluating patients with ATTRv amyloidosis and has been used in clinical trials since. A panel of amyloidosis experts from Sweden, Denmark, and Norway discussed the strengths and limitations of the Kumamoto scale at the Nordic Amyloidosis Day at Arlanda in 2023, and it was decided to revise and improve the scale that has been used in routine clinical monitoring of patients in Sweden since 2020. Our aim is to introduce the revised version of the Kumamoto scale as a useful clinical monitoring tool.

RESULTS

Minor adjustments were applied to make the scale more sensitive and precise. Bedside instruments for sensory examination were defined as well as the sensory and motor levels. Constipation was added as a sign of autonomic dysfunction. The subtotal and total scores remain unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that the revised Kumamoto scale is a reliable and easy-to-use clinical tool for monitoring ATTRv amyloidosis.