Fanconi syndrome induced by the long-term use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: a case report and literature review

Abstract

We present the case of a woman of 50 years of age who experienced widespread bone pain along with digestive symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. She had been prescribed tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) tablets for the treatment of hepatitis B. Laboratory testing revealed low circulating phosphorus and potassium concentrations and acidosis. A whole-body bone scan revealed abnormal bone metabolism. Rheumatologic and urologic conditions were ruled out, and therefore TDF-induced Fanconi syndrome (FS) and related bone pain was diagnosed. After the TDF was discontinued, the patient’s symptoms and laboratory indices significantly improved. In this manuscript, we highlight the clinical manifestations of and laboratory test results associated with FS and summarize the cases of TDF-induced FS reported on PubMed between 2013 and 2022 to improve understanding of FS.