[Alstrom syndrome: clinical and genetic features, and a diagnostic guide to foresee complications.]

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2008

First Page

741

Last Page

746

JAX Location

see Reprint Collection

JAX Source

Med Clin (Barc) 2008 Nov; 131(19):741-6.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Alstrom syndrome is a progressive autosomal recessive genetic disorder affecting multiple organ systems. It may be detected at birth or in early childhood. Clinically, patients with Alstrom syndrome develop cone-rod dystrophy leading to eventual blindness, sensorineural deafness, and normal intelligence. Patients develop obesity, endocrine disturbances such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, dilated cardiomyopathy and progressive renal and hepatic failure. Alstrom syndrome is caused by specific mutations in the ALMS1 gene, located at chromosome 2p13. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A case of a 23 year old patient with Alstrom syndrome, with a previous diagnosis of Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl is described. RESULTS: The subsequent molecular study revealed a mutation on the ALMS1 gene, confirming the diagnosis of Alstrom syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The low frequency, the progressive multi-systemic disturbances, and the similarities with other well-known syndromes may difficult the diagnosis of Alstrom syndrome. Thus, without a careful examination, it may be misdiagnosed and it would not be possible to perform any anticipatory therapeutic approach, with dramatic consequences for the patients and their families. Moreover, as these patiens muts have a multidisciplinary approach, they may not receive the adequate treatment on time. therefore, it seems important to publish this case in our country, among with the clinical and molecular characteristics of this syndrome, and to spread a diagnostic and anticipatory guidance for ist early detection.

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