A genetic defect that cannot yet be cured
THE DISEASE
The long way into the unknown
The disease is difficult to diagnose because of its rarity (one or one in a million) and the associated lack of awareness. For this reason, there is little experience with typical disease processes. Visual impairment or blindness with advancing age, hearing loss, type 2 diabetes and severe organ diseases are considered symptoms. According to the current state of knowledge, Alström cannot be cured. There is no early detection.
The disease exhibits complex, variable, and increasing symptoms with age. All patients develop photophobia and nystagmus ("eye tremors") in early childhood. The visual impairment is progressive and children usually go blind by the age of 12.
Gene mutation vs. gene defective ?
A gene mutation is a (permanent) change in the genetic makeup of just one gene. The number of genes in a person is controversial. The number ranges between 20,000 and 150,000; according to current studies, a number at the lower end of the range is more appropriate. If this mutation has harmful effects on the organism, it is also known as a genetic defect .
Rare Disease?
Rare diseases affect only a few people (hence the English orphan disease; from English orphan, orphan).
The number of rare diseases is rising steadily, depending on the definition (differences between EU and USA) it is around 8,000 (EU). 4 million people in Germany and around 30 million EU citizens are affected by a rare disease.
Alström?
The presumed prevalence is 1: 1,000,000 . There are around 1,000 known cases of Alström worldwide. The number is due to the difficult diagnosis but probably much higher. In the UK the number of known cases is 89, for Germany this is unknown.
EVERYTHING IS RELATIVE
FREQUENCIES
How often does Alström appear and how many visually impaired people are there worldwide?
Alström:
about 1,000
Visually impaired:
300,000,000
(worldwide)
Alström ~ 1,000
Sea obstruction <300,000,000
Alström ~ 1,000
Visual impairment <300,000,000
How often is the term Alström googled and how often botox?
Alström:
around 18,000
BOTOX:
42,000,000
(yearly)
Alström 18,000
Botox 42,000,000
Alström ~ 18,000
Botox> 42,000,000
How common is an illness compared to winning the lottery?
Alström:
1: 1.00,000
Lotto 6 out of 45 (AUT):
1: 8,000,000
Alström 1: 1,000,000
6 out of 45 (AUT) 1: 8,000,000
Alström 1: 1,000,000
6 from 45 (AT) 1: 8.000000
Due to its rarity, Alström is difficult to diagnose and there is little experience with typical disease courses. Visual impairment or blindness with advancing age, hearing loss, type 2 diabetes and severe organ diseases are considered symptoms. The disease exhibits complex, variable, and increasing symptoms with age.
SYMPTOMS OF ALSTRÖM
The failure of the senses and organs
SEE
Nystagmus (eye tremors)
Photophobia
Visual acuity decrease
Going blind
HEAR
Senso neural hearing loss (damage to the tiny hair cells in the snail)
Chronic otitis media
ORGANS
Passenger dilated cardiomyopathy (special form of heart muscle disease)
Fatty liver
Fibriosis (scarring of organs)
DIABETES
Hyperinsulinism
Diabetes mellitus (type 2)
Obesity
