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Goehringer J, Kosmin A, Laible N, Romagnoli K. Assessing the Utility of a Patient-Facing Diagnostic Tool Among Individuals With Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Focus Group Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e49720. [PMID: 39325533 DOI: 10.2196/49720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), characterized by joint hypermobility, skin laxity, and tissue fragility, is thought to be the most common inherited connective tissue disorder, with millions affected worldwide. Diagnosing this condition remains a challenge that can impact quality of life for individuals with hEDS. Many with hEDS describe extended diagnostic odysseys involving exorbitant time and monetary investment. This delay is due to the complexity of diagnosis, symptom overlap with other conditions, and limited access to providers. Many primary care providers are unfamiliar with hEDS, compounded by genetics clinics that do not accept referrals for hEDS evaluation and long waits for genetics clinics that do evaluate for hEDS, leaving patients without sufficient options. OBJECTIVE This study explored the user experience, quality, and utility of a prototype of a patient-facing diagnostic tool intended to support clinician diagnosis for individuals with symptoms of hEDS. The questions included within the prototype are aligned with the 2017 international classification of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. This study explored how this tool may help patients communicate information about hEDS to their physicians, influencing the diagnosis of hEDS and affecting patient experience. METHODS Participants clinically diagnosed with hEDS were recruited from either a medical center or private groups on a social media platform. Interested participants provided verbal consent, completed questionnaires about their diagnosis, and were invited to join an internet-based focus group to share their thoughts and opinions on a diagnostic tool prototype. Participants were invited to complete the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) to evaluate their experience viewing the diagnostic tool. The MARS is a framework for evaluating mobile health apps across 4 dimensions: engagement, functionality, esthetics, and information quality. Qualitative data were analyzed using affinity mapping to organize information and inductively create themes that were categorized within the MARS framework dimensions to help identify strengths and weaknesses of the diagnostic tool prototype. RESULTS In total, 15 individuals participated in the internet-based focus groups; 3 (20%) completed the MARS. Through affinity diagramming, 2 main categories of responses were identified, including responses related to the user interface and responses related to the application of the tool. Each category included several themes and subthemes that mapped well to the 4 MARS dimensions. The analysis showed that the tool held value and utility among the participants diagnosed with hEDS. The shareable ending summary sheet provided by the tool stood out as a strength for facilitating communication between patient and provider during the diagnostic evaluation. CONCLUSIONS The results provide insights on the perceived utility and value of the tool, including preferred phrasing, layout and design preferences, and tool accessibility. The participants expressed that the tool may improve the hEDS diagnostic odyssey and help educate providers about the diagnostic process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abigail Kosmin
- Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY, United States
- Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Natalie Laible
- Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY, United States
- GeneScreen Counseling, Bernardsville, NJ, United States
| | - Katrina Romagnoli
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger, Danville, PA, United States
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Marelli S, Micaglio E, Taurino J, Salvi P, Rurali E, Perrucci GL, Dolci C, Udugampolage NS, Caruso R, Gentilini D, Trifiro' G, Callus E, Frigiola A, De Vincentiis C, Pappone C, Parati G, Pini A. Marfan Syndrome: Enhanced Diagnostic Tools and Follow-up Management Strategies. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2284. [PMID: 37443678 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13132284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a rare inherited autosomic disorder, which encompasses a variety of systemic manifestations caused by mutations in the Fibrillin-1 encoding gene (FBN1). Cardinal clinical phenotypes of MFS are highly variable in terms of severity, and commonly involve cardiovascular, ocular, and musculoskeletal systems with a wide range of manifestations, such as ascending aorta aneurysms and dissection, mitral valve prolapse, ectopia lentis and long bone overgrowth, respectively. Of note, an accurate and prompt diagnosis is pivotal in order to provide the best treatment to the patients as early as possible. To date, the diagnosis of the syndrome has relied upon a systemic score calculation as well as DNA mutation identification. The aim of this review is to summarize the latest MFS evidence regarding the definition, differences and similarities with other connective tissue pathologies with severe systemic phenotypes (e.g., Autosomal dominant Weill-Marchesani syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) and clinical assessment. In this regard, the management of MFS requires a multidisciplinary team in order to accurately control the evolution of the most severe and potentially life-threatening complications. Based on recent findings in the literature and our clinical experience, we propose a multidisciplinary approach involving specialists in different clinical fields (i.e., cardiologists, surgeons, ophthalmologists, orthopedics, pneumologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, geneticists, and psychologists) to comprehensively characterize, treat, and manage MFS patients with a personalized medicine approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Marelli
- Cardiovascular-Genetic Center, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Micaglio
- Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Taurino
- Cardiovascular-Genetic Center, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Salvi
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Cardiology Unit, IRCCS, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Erica Rurali
- Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca L Perrucci
- Unit of Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Dolci
- Laboratory of Functional Anatomy of the Stomatognathic System (LAFAS), Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Rosario Caruso
- Clinical Research Service, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Gentilini
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Bioinformatics and Statistical Genomics Unit, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Cusano Milanino, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20095 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliana Trifiro'
- Cardiovascular-Genetic Center, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy
| | - Edward Callus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Clinical Psychology Service, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Frigiola
- Department of Congenital Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milan, Italy
- Association "Bambini Cardiopatici nel Mondo" Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo De Vincentiis
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Vascular Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Pappone
- Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Cardiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Parati
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Cardiology Unit, IRCCS, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Cardiovascular-Genetic Center, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy
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Wozniak-Mielczarek L, Osowicka M, Radtke-Lysek A, Drezek-Nojowicz M, Gilis-Malinowska N, Sabiniewicz A, Mielczarek M, Sabiniewicz R. How to Distinguish Marfan Syndrome from Marfanoid Habitus in a Physical Examination-Comparison of External Features in Patients with Marfan Syndrome and Marfanoid Habitus. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:772. [PMID: 35055593 PMCID: PMC8775541 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Marfan Syndrome (MFS) is a systemic disorder caused by mutations in fibrillin-1. The most common cause of mortality in MFS is dissection and rupture of the aorta. Due to a highly variable and age-dependent clinical spectrum, the diagnosis of MFS still remains sophisticated. The aim of the study was to determine if there exist phenotypic features that can play the role of "red flags" in cases of MFS suspicion. The study population included 306 patients (199 children and 107 adults) who were referred to the Department of Pediatric Cardiology due to suspicion of MFS. All patients underwent complete clinical evaluation in order to confirm the diagnosis of MFS according to the modified Ghent criteria. MFS was diagnosed in 109 patients and marfanoid habitus in 168 patients. The study excluded 29 patients with other hereditary thoracic aneurysm syndromes. Comparative analysis between patients with Marfan syndrome and marfanoid habitus was performed. Symptoms with high prevalence and high positive likelihood ratio were identified (pectus carinatum, reduced elbow extension, hindfoot deformity, gothic palate, downslanting palpebral fissures, lens subluxation, myopia ≥ 3 dioptres remarkably high stature). The differentiation between patients with MFS and marfanoid body habitus is not possible by only assessing external body features; however, "red flags" could be helpful in the screening phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Wozniak-Mielczarek
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Defects, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Michalina Osowicka
- Department of History of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Alicja Radtke-Lysek
- 1st Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (A.R.-L.); (N.G.-M.); (M.M.)
| | | | - Natasza Gilis-Malinowska
- 1st Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (A.R.-L.); (N.G.-M.); (M.M.)
| | - Anna Sabiniewicz
- Students’ Scientific Circle of the Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Diseases, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Maksymilian Mielczarek
- 1st Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (A.R.-L.); (N.G.-M.); (M.M.)
| | - Robert Sabiniewicz
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Defects, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
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Abstract
We investigated the correlation between the musculoskeletal features and the cardiovascular anomalies in pediatric patients affected by Marfan syndrome, in order to identify possible orthopedic deformities that could be a warning sign for severe aortic dilatation. Moreover, we analyzed the role of the orthopedic aspects in the early diagnosis of the disease in a pediatric population. Seventy-two patients from 3 to 14 years of age, underwent interdisciplinary evaluation that included an orthopedic and cardiological examination. At the orthopedic examination, we analyzed the musculoskeletal features included in the systemic score of the revised Ghent criteria. Cardiological evaluation included a transthoracic echocardiography with definition of the cardiac Z-score, which is an index that evaluates aortic diameter. A statistical analysis was performed. We identified a statistically significant correlation between the presence of pectus excavatum and cardiac Z-score ≥3 (P = 0.022). Clinically, this data means that pectus excavatum is frequently observed in patients with larger aortic root diameter. On the contrary, no statistically significant correlation was found between the other investigated musculoskeletal features and a pathological Z-score. In the pediatric population, the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome remains difficult because many clinical manifestations are age-dependent and the Ghent criteria, usually used for adults, are not reliable in children. Our results show that the presence of pectus excavatum could help in the early identification of patients at greater risk of developing possibly fatal aortic disease. However, it is always indicated to screen all patients with Marfan syndrome for cardiac abnormalities, even in absence of pectus excavatum.
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