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Rosenberg AGW, Pater MRA, Pellikaan K, Davidse K, Kattentidt-Mouravieva AA, Kersseboom R, Bos-Roubos AG, van Eeghen A, Veen JMC, van der Meulen JJ, van Aalst-van Wieringen N, Hoekstra FME, van der Lely AJ, de Graaff LCG. What Every Internist-Endocrinologist Should Know about Rare Genetic Syndromes in Order to Prevent Needless Diagnostics, Missed Diagnoses and Medical Complications: Five Years of 'Internal Medicine for Rare Genetic Syndromes'. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10225457. [PMID: 34830739 PMCID: PMC8622899 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10225457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with complex rare genetic syndromes (CRGS) have combined medical problems affecting multiple organ systems. Pediatric multidisciplinary (MD) care has improved life expectancy, however, transfer to internal medicine is hindered by the lack of adequate MD care for adults. We have launched an MD outpatient clinic providing syndrome-specific care for adults with CRGS, which, to our knowledge, is the first one worldwide in the field of internal medicine. Between 2015 and 2020, we have treated 720 adults with over 60 syndromes. Eighty-nine percent of the syndromes were associated with endocrine problems. We describe case series of missed diagnoses and patients who had undergone extensive diagnostic testing for symptoms that could actually be explained by their syndrome. Based on our experiences and review of the literature, we provide an algorithm for the clinical approach of health problems in CRGS adults. We conclude that missed diagnoses and needless invasive tests seem common in CRGS adults. Due to the increased life expectancy, an increasing number of patients with CRGS will transfer to adult endocrinology. Internist-endocrinologists (in training) should be aware of their special needs and medical pitfalls of CRGS will help prevent the burden of unnecessary diagnostics and under- and overtreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna G. W. Rosenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.G.W.R.); (M.R.A.P.); (K.P.); (K.D.); (F.M.E.H.); (A.J.v.d.L.)
- Dutch Center of Reference for Prader-Willi Syndrome, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Minke R. A. Pater
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.G.W.R.); (M.R.A.P.); (K.P.); (K.D.); (F.M.E.H.); (A.J.v.d.L.)
| | - Karlijn Pellikaan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.G.W.R.); (M.R.A.P.); (K.P.); (K.D.); (F.M.E.H.); (A.J.v.d.L.)
- Dutch Center of Reference for Prader-Willi Syndrome, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kirsten Davidse
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.G.W.R.); (M.R.A.P.); (K.P.); (K.D.); (F.M.E.H.); (A.J.v.d.L.)
- Dutch Center of Reference for Prader-Willi Syndrome, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rogier Kersseboom
- Stichting Zuidwester, 3241 LB Middelharnis, The Netherlands; (A.A.K.-M.); (R.K.)
| | - Anja G. Bos-Roubos
- Center of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh, 5803 DN Venray, The Netherlands;
| | - Agnies van Eeghen
- ‘s Heeren Loo, Care Group, 3818 LA Amersfoort, The Netherlands;
- Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Academic Center for Growth Disorders, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - José M. C. Veen
- ‘s Heeren Loo, Care Providing Agency, 6733 SC Wekerom, The Netherlands; (J.M.C.V.); (J.J.v.d.M.)
| | - Jiske J. van der Meulen
- ‘s Heeren Loo, Care Providing Agency, 6733 SC Wekerom, The Netherlands; (J.M.C.V.); (J.J.v.d.M.)
| | - Nina van Aalst-van Wieringen
- Department of Physical Therapy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Franciska M. E. Hoekstra
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.G.W.R.); (M.R.A.P.); (K.P.); (K.D.); (F.M.E.H.); (A.J.v.d.L.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reinier de Graaf Hospital, 2625 AD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Aart J. van der Lely
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.G.W.R.); (M.R.A.P.); (K.P.); (K.D.); (F.M.E.H.); (A.J.v.d.L.)
| | - Laura C. G. de Graaff
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.G.W.R.); (M.R.A.P.); (K.P.); (K.D.); (F.M.E.H.); (A.J.v.d.L.)
- Dutch Center of Reference for Prader-Willi Syndrome, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Academic Center for Growth Disorders, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- ENCORE—Dutch Center of Reference for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Dutch Center of Reference for Turner Syndrome, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Dutch Center of Reference for Disorders of Sex Development, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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