Presentation
Mitochondrial diseases are heterogeneous and multifaceted, and can present at any age. [bcmj.org]
The age of diagnosis was also correlated with clinical presentation ( Table 3 ). [nature.com]
A generalized myopathy is present in most affected individuals, leading to early fatigue and exercise intolerance. [annalsofian.org]
There is a reported case of multiple, different mtDNA deletions present in two brothers with Pearson's syndrome, as well as in their asymptomatic mother (9). No mtDNA mutations were detected in the mother of the present patient. [path.upmc.edu]
MELAS Presents with sudden onset of strokes, usually precipitated by focal or generalized seizures. Usually has its onset in childhood, but can present at any age. [clinicaladvisor.com]
Musculoskeletal
- Diffuse Muscle Wasting
Clinical examination indicated cachexia (39 kg, 166 cm), diffuse muscle wasting, abdominal distention, bilateral external ophthalmoplegia, ptosis, gait ataxia, and lower limb hypoesthesia. [em-consulte.com]
Neurologic
- Gowers Sign
Gowers sign MedGen UID: 108389 • Concept ID: C0575071 • Finding A phenomenon whereby patients are not able to stand up without the use of the hands owing to weakness of the proximal muscles of the lower limbs. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Lower limb pain and amyotrophy may be present, as well as various cerebellar signs, including dysarthria, nystagmus, hypometric saccades and tremor. [mendelian.co]
Treatment
Treatment Treatment Options: No effective treatment is available. [disorders.eyes.arizona.edu]
Separate treatment options for associated disorders (e.g., diabetes mellitus or hypoparathyroidism) may be necessary. In some cases, treatment may include hormone replacement therapies. [rarediseases.org]
It is not in any way intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care. Our staff consists of biologists and biochemists that are not trained to give medical advice . [uniprot.org]
In acquired myopathies, treatment is targeted toward the underlying cause. Treatment of statin myopathies is dependent on creatine phosphokinase levels and degree of muscle symptoms. Consider lower doses when initiating statin therapy. [clevelandclinicmeded.com]
Only through understanding the mechanisms of a disease can we begin to plan effective treatments. [mitochondrialdisease.nhs.uk]
Prognosis
Meet other parents and patients in our closed Facebook group. back to top What is the Prognosis for Someone? The prognosis is variable. Some people live a normal life and are minimally affected; others can be severely compromised with the disease. [mitoaction.org]
The prognosis for MELAS is poor. Typically, the age of death is between 10 to 35 years, although some patients may live longer. [umdf.org]
PROGNOSIS Prognosis depends upon which disorder, which symptoms and the severity of those symptoms. Some of the conditions we thought were uniformly progressive and fatal are not (Leigh syndrome, for example). [childneurologyfoundation.org]
Prognosis The prognosis of progressive external ophthalmoplegia depends on the associated neurological problems; in particular, whether there is severe limb weakness or cerebellar symptoms that may be mild or disabling. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
The MTTL1 gene is most often associated with the mitochondrial inheritance pattern, along with other mtRNA and mtDNA genes. [14] Prognosis The prognosis is guarded with a generally progressive disorder. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Etiology
Rhabdomyolysis may also be seen with infectious etiologies, alcohol, and toxic exposures. [clevelandclinicmeded.com]
While the etiology of multiple deletions is indeterminate and requires nuclear genes analysis, mtDNA deletions accompanying pathogenic point mutations, independently from patient's age, may contribute to the phenotypic severity. [neurology.org]
Etiology Neurol Sci 2014 Mar;35(3):443-8. Epub 2013 Oct 4 doi: 10.1007/s10072-013-1557-8. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Etiology Kearns-Sayre syndrome is a genetic disorder most commonly due to single sporadic deletions in mitochondrial DNA. [eyewiki.aao.org]
Clinical trials involving dichloroacetate (DCA) administration are ongoing for patients with lactic acidosis of varying etiologies, and it is hoped that the experimental use of DCA in Pearson's syndrome may provide additional relief of symptoms (Carolyn [path.upmc.edu]
Epidemiology
The epidemiology of pathogenic mitochondrial DNA mutations. Ann Neurol 2000 ; 48 : 188 –93. ↵ Zeviani M, Moraes CT, DiMauro S, Nakase H, Bonilla E, Schon EA, Rowland LP. Deletions of mitochondrial DNA in Kearns-Sayre syndrome. [jmg.bmj.com]
[…] hepatitis B or hepatitis C Reye syndrome Wilson disease Myopathy Chronic demyelinating inflammatory polyneuropathy Dermatomyositis Guillain-Barré syndrome Paraneoplastic syndrome Lactic acidosis Inborn errors of metabolism Polymyositis Sepsis Background Epidemiology [arupconsult.com]
Molecular epidemiologic study of mitochondrial DNA mutations in patients with mitochondrial diseases in Taiwan. Pang CY, Huang CC, Yen MY, Wang EK, Kao KP, Chen SS, Wei YH. [thedoctorsdoctor.com]
The balance of oxidative demands of a given tissue and the proportion of deleted mtDNA it contains will ultimately determine whether the tissue is affected clinically. [12] Epidemiology Frequency Worldwide Worldwide, the prevalence of mitochondrial disease [emedicine.medscape.com]
Table 1 Clinical Features of Common Myopathies Myopathy Epidemiology Distribution of Weakness Other Systemic Manifestations Acquired Myopathies Dermatomyositis Female > male Peak incidence: children and ages 40–60 yr Symmetrical proximal muscle weakness [clevelandclinicmeded.com]
Pathophysiology
[…] variant Females with heteroplasmy but no clinical symptoms may have affected offspring Variable amount of affected mitochondria is passed to offspring Poor genotype/phenotype correlation exists; the same variant may cause different clinical syndromes Pathophysiology [arupconsult.com]
Pathophysiology Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes for essential components of the respiratory chain. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Retinal evaluation reveals disruption and atrophy of retinal photoreceptors as well as aberrant pigment distribution in all layers of the retina. 4, 5 Spongiform degeneration of the brain has been reported in multiple patients at autopsy. 6 Pathophysiology [eyewiki.aao.org]
Endocrine system Endocrine disorders may present in childhood or may develop over time and present in adulthood.[ 17,18 ] Diabetes mellitus with a complex pathophysiology can occur. [bcmj.org]
Back to Top Pathophysiology Disruption of the structural integrity and metabolic processes of muscle cells can result from genetic abnormalities, toxins, inflammation, infection, and hormonal and electrolyte imbalances. [clevelandclinicmeded.com]
Prevention
Also involved in 5'-end resection of DNA during double-strand break (DSB) repair: recruited by BLM and mediates the cleavage of 5'-ssDNA, while the 3'-ssDNA cleavage is prevented by the presence of RPA. [ghr.nlm.nih.gov]
Can Alper's be prevented? If the genetic faults are present, then there is nothing that can be taken during pregnancy or given to the infant that will prevent Alper's occurring. [mitochondrialdisease.nhs.uk]
Prevention There is no way to prevent ophthalmoplegia. Resources Organizations American Academy of Neurology. 1080 Montreal Ave., St. Paul, MN 55116. (612) 695-1940. http://www.aan.com. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
Prevention of secondary complications: Antioxidants may ameliorate damage from reactive oxygen species; percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy may improve nutritional intake and prevent aspiration pneumonia in individuals with severe dysphagia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
How can mitochondrial disorders be prevented? Since this is a genetically determined disorder, there is no prevention. Prevention of stressors that exacerbate the condition, such as illness, is advocated for all mitochondrial disease. [clinicaladvisor.com]