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Paramyloidosis, commonly known as ‘foot disease’, is an inherited, progressive and disabling disease affecting the peripheral nervous system in its sensory, motor and autonomic components.

The first manifestations of the disease usually occur between the ages of 25 and 35 (in some cases prematurely after the age of 20 and late after the age of 50) and pass through loss of sensitivity in the lower limbs, and then progresses upwards, affecting motor capacity and various organs.

The diversity of symptoms makes the diagnosis, most of the time, complex and time-consuming.

Paramyloidosis has no cure and, when left untreated, is fatal on average 10 years later.

The date was chosen because it was the day of the death of Professor Mário Corino da Costa, who, in 1952, described this disease for the first time.

It is important, however, not to confuse this disease with the ‘little foot test’ carried out from the third day of life of the newborn, by collecting droplets of blood on the child’s foot, which make it possible to identify children suffering from diseases, almost always genetic, and likely to benefit from early treatment.

More information.