Yingming Xing, Lingqian Zhao, Renlong Zhao, Qiyun Liu, Juan Wang, Le Wang, Wei Zhang, Junhong Guo, Rongjuan Zhao, Xueli Chang
{"title":"Analysis of the pathogenicity of novel GNE mutations and clinical, pathological, and genetic characteristics of GNE myopathy in Chinese population.","authors":"Yingming Xing, Lingqian Zhao, Renlong Zhao, Qiyun Liu, Juan Wang, Le Wang, Wei Zhang, Junhong Guo, Rongjuan Zhao, Xueli Chang","doi":"10.1186/s13023-025-03696-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03696-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>GNE myopathy is a rare autosomal recessive distal myopathy caused by mutations in UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE), a bifunctional enzyme critical for sialic acid biosynthesis. This study aimed to describe a novel autosomal recessive GNE pedigree in a Chinese family and explore the possible mechanism of GNE variants in GNE myopathy, the most common distal myopathy in China. The clinical, genetic, and pathological characteristics of 216 Chinese patients with GNE myopathy were also summarized.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The proband and her family underwent a comprehensive medical history assessment and neurological examinations. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on the proband, and Sanger sequencing was performed on family members. 293T cell lines were used for immunofluorescence (IF), Western blot, and dual-luciferase reporter assays. We collected the clinical data of 216 GNE myopathy patients from previous reports up until August 1, 2024. Patients were classified into distinct groups according to mutation location to analyze genotype-phenotype correlation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Whole-exome sequencing of the proband and Sanger sequencing of all available family members identified a compound heterozygous mutation involving a novel promoter region mutation, c.-259T > C, and a reported mutation, c.88 C > T (p.Q30*). The GNE promoter fragment (-500 to -1; c.-259T > C) was cloned to construct the firefly luciferase reporter vector. The dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that the mutated promoter exhibited reduced transcriptional activity, resulting in decreased GNE expression. Western blot and IF analysis of overexpressing Q30* revealed that it reduced GNE expression without altering cellular localization and increased the ectopic cytoplasmic expression of TDP-43. The p.D207V mutation was the most common variant in China. Patients carrying p.D207V tended to experience later disease onset. In the epimerase/epimerase group, men experienced earlier disease onset than women (p < 0.05). In other groups, age at disease onset in females was earlier than that in males.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The c.-259T > C mutation decreases promoter activity, while the c.88 C > T (p.Q30*) mutation reduces GNE expression and affects TDP-43 distribution, thus affecting normal cellular function. The p.D207V mutation is the most common GNE variant in China and is associated with milder disease progression.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":"20 1","pages":"161"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143788772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alice Dallan, Giuseppe Reynolds, Carlotta Canavese, Diana Carli, Maria Luca, Andrea Gazzin, Marco Spada, Francesco Porta, Alessandro Mussa
{"title":"The wide phenotypic spectrum of thiamine metabolism dysfunction syndrome 5 and its treatment.","authors":"Alice Dallan, Giuseppe Reynolds, Carlotta Canavese, Diana Carli, Maria Luca, Andrea Gazzin, Marco Spada, Francesco Porta, Alessandro Mussa","doi":"10.1186/s13023-025-03665-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03665-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Thiamine metabolism dysfunction syndrome 5 (TMDS5) is a rare inborn error of metabolism caused by variants in TPK1, leading to reduced TPK levels. This enzyme is crucial for the production of thiamine pyrophosphate, the active form of thiamine, a vital coenzyme in numerous metabolic pathways. The clinical presentation exhibits a diverse range of manifestations. In this review, we explore reported cases in the literature and present two cases representing the extremes of the clinical spectrum: recurrent ataxia and Leigh syndrome. The former phenotype follows a milder course. The second one is characterized by early onset and severe symptoms, including dystonia, epilepsy, and developmental regression, progressing rapidly to severe disability with high mortality. Typically, children exposed to infectious or traumatic triggers display episodes marked by ataxia and dystonia, with periods of good health or only mild disabilities in between. Treatment with the phosphorylated thiamine active bioform, TPP, is more effective in the recurrent ataxia form, especially when initiated promptly at symptom onset. Further studies are needed to identify available biomarkers and establish correlations between different variants, severity, and treatment response.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":"20 1","pages":"160"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143788774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sun Yuan, Tang Shuyao, Lyu Jingwei, Wen Bing, Xu Jingwen, Li Busu, Zhao Bing, Ji Kunqian, Yan Chuanzhu
{"title":"Growth differentiation factor 15: a valuable biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of late-onset form of multiple Acyl-CoA dehydrogenation deficiency.","authors":"Sun Yuan, Tang Shuyao, Lyu Jingwei, Wen Bing, Xu Jingwen, Li Busu, Zhao Bing, Ji Kunqian, Yan Chuanzhu","doi":"10.1186/s13023-025-03651-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-025-03651-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Multiple acyl-CoA Dehydrogenation Deficiency (MADD) is a hereditary metabolic disorder affecting the metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids, and choline, typically presenting with fat accumulation and mitochondrial abnormalities in muscle pathology. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a stress-responsive cytokine implicated in energy metabolism. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of GDF15 in patients with late-onset MADD and to evaluate its potential as a reliable biomarker for diagnosing symptoms and determining the severity of late-onset MADD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, consecutive patients with MADD mitochondrial diseases were recruited from the Neuromuscular Center of Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, between April 2015 and October 2021. We measured serum GDF15 levels in patients with late-onset MADD and healthy controls. Additionally, we analyzed the messenger RNA(mRNA) expression of GDF15 and integrated stress response (ISR)-related factors, including CHOP, ATF5, and TRIB3, in the muscles.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Serum GDF15 levels in patients with late-onset MADD were 18.8 times higher than those in healthy controls. GDF15 levels decreased as the disease progressed, and its elecated levels correlated with anorexia symptoms. The mRNA expression of GDF15 and ISR-related factors in the muscles was higher in patients with late-onset MADD than in controls.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>GDF15 levels were significantly elevated in symptomatic patients with late-onset MADD, likely due to mitochondrial dysfunction activating the ISR pathway. These findings suggest that GDF15 is a valuable biomarker for monitoring disease severity and symptomatology in patients with late-onset MADD.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":"20 1","pages":"159"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11969926/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143780905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Deep learning assisted retinal microvasculature assessment and cerebral small vessel disease in Fabry disease.","authors":"Yingsi Li, Xuecong Zhou, Junmeng Li, Yawen Zhao, Yujing Yuan, Bo Yang, Jingjing Xu, Qijie Wei, Xiaoming Yan, Wei Zhang, Yuan Wu","doi":"10.1186/s13023-025-03627-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-025-03627-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aim of this study was to assess retinal microvascular parameters (RMPs) in Fabry disease (FD) using deep learning, and analyze the correlation with brain lesions related to cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this retrospective case control study, fundus images from 27 FD patients and 27 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were collected. RMPs, encompassing diameter, density, symmetry, bifurcation, and tortuosity, were quantified. Laboratory examination results, Mainz severity score index (MSSI) scores, and a brain magnetic resonance imaging scan for CSVD scores were extracted and their relationships with RMPs was analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Utilizing artificial intelligence-assisted analysis, compared with controls, FD patients exhibited reduced diameter (p = 0.001 for central retinal artery equivalent, p = 0.049 for central retinal vein equivalent), density (p < 0.001 for vessel area density, p = 0.001 for length density), fractal dimension (p < 0.001), and heightened arteriolar and venular asymmetry ratios (p = 0.002 and p = 0.037, respectively), venular curvature tortuosity (p = 0.037), and simple tortuosity (p = 0.037) in retinal microvascular networks. Gender-based differences in RMPs were observed among FD patients. Furthermore, RMPs were significantly associated with disease markers such as plasma globotriaosylsphingosine and α-galactosidase A activity, as well as MSSI scores. Notably, there was a significant negative correlation between the arteriolar asymmetry ratio and CSVD-related scores (age-related white matter changes: r = - 0.683, p = 0.001; Fazekas: r = - 0.673, p = 0.001; Lacuna: r = - 0.453, p = 0.045; small vessel diseases: r = - 0.721, p = 0.012; global cortical atrophy: r = - 0.582, p = 0.009).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Fabry disease patients demonstrated increased vascular tortuosity and asymmetry, reduced density and diameter, and a simpler fractal dimension in retinal microvasculature. These microvascular characteristics may serve as preliminary indicators for assessing brain lesions and could represent potential novel biomarkers for CSVD, aiding in the monitoring of FD severity and progression.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":"20 1","pages":"158"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11969690/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143780850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Biological pathways leading to septo-optic dysplasia: a review.","authors":"Ludovica Pasca, Davide Politano, Federica Morelli, Jessica Garau, Sabrina Signorini, Enza Maria Valente, Renato Borgatti, Romina Romaniello","doi":"10.1186/s13023-025-03541-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-025-03541-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The precise etiology of septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) remains elusive, to date a complex interaction between genetic predisposition and prenatal exposure to environmental factors is believed to come into play. Being SOD such a heterogeneous condition, disruption of many developmental steps in the early forebrain development might occur. The knowledge of genes possibly determining SOD phenotype should be improved, therefore in this review the authors attempt to highlight the genetic pathways and genes related to this clinical condition.</p><p><strong>Main body: </strong>Literature search was conducted and updated in November 2023, using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify primary research articles or case reports with available full text using the following search string \"case reports,\" \"humans,\" \"septo-optic dysplasia,\" \"optic nerve hypoplasia,\" with a recognized genetic diagnosis. Moreover, a review of genetic pathways with an involvement in SOD etiology was conducted. This review thus represents the authors' perspective based on selected literature. The several pathways presented might be already associated to other disease phenotypes and interplay with genes and pathways known to have a role in SOD determination. Those pathways may converge and thus, the implicated genes may function as cascading regulators at multiple levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present data suggest that genes other than HESX1, SOX2, SOX3, and OTX2 might be investigated in candidate individuals with a clinical diagnosis of SOD corresponding to the presence of at least two diagnostic criteria, particularly in the presence of additional syndromic anomalies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":"20 1","pages":"157"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11969957/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143780880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yann Dos Santos, Friedrich Trefz, Maria Giżewska, Annemiek M J van Wegberg, Bruno Lefort, François Labarthe, Francjan van Spronsen, François Maillot
{"title":"The relationship between adult phenylketonuria and the cardiovascular system - insights into mechanisms and risks.","authors":"Yann Dos Santos, Friedrich Trefz, Maria Giżewska, Annemiek M J van Wegberg, Bruno Lefort, François Labarthe, Francjan van Spronsen, François Maillot","doi":"10.1186/s13023-025-03686-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-025-03686-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Studies in adults with PKU have mainly focused on the neuropsychiatric complications that may arise in individuals who are unable to maintain the recommended lifetime diet. Some recent epidemiological studies suggest to consider other complications. As such, cardiovascular (CV) issues have been the subject of few studies to date. The aim of this review is to gather and discuss data from the literature on the traditional risks of CV complications in PKU, a potential CV phenotype in this population and the various non-traditional risks and potential associated mechanisms. The reported prevalence of comorbidities suggests an increased risk of CV complications in adults with PKU, mostly in late-diagnosed patients. Studies about a specific CV phenotype associated with PKU are suggestive, although further studies are needed. The data on oxidative stress in this population are consistent and confirm an increased CV risk. Regarding other potential mechanisms, it is not possible to conclude whether adult PKU patients have low grade inflammation, dyslipidemia, kidney impairment or if they have hyperhomocysteinemia. It would be of interest to measure potential biomarker associated with CV complications, such as homocysteine, asymmetric dimethylarginine and kynurenines (quinolic acid).</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":"20 1","pages":"156"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11966859/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143772840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zeyan Zhong, Ganwei Zheng, Dina Zhu, Yongqiong Liu, Zezhang Lin, Zhiyang Guan, Fu Xiong, Jianhong Chen, Xuan Shang
{"title":"Application value of long-read sequencing in full characterization of thalassemia-associated structural variations: identifying a novel large segmental duplication and literature review.","authors":"Zeyan Zhong, Ganwei Zheng, Dina Zhu, Yongqiong Liu, Zezhang Lin, Zhiyang Guan, Fu Xiong, Jianhong Chen, Xuan Shang","doi":"10.1186/s13023-025-03701-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-025-03701-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Thalassemia is one of the most prevalent monogenic disorders in tropical and subtropical regions, imposing significant familial and social burdens on local populations. It is caused by point mutations or structural variations (SVs) in the α- or β-globin gene clusters. Due to the complex structure, full characterization of SVs has always been the focus and difficulty of molecular diagnosis of thalassemia patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Peripheral blood of a Chinese boy with β-thalassemia intermedia phenotype and his family members were collected. Multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA), long-read sequencing (LRS) and Sanger sequencing were used to analyze the variant in this family.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A novel large duplication (αααα<sup>280</sup>) was identified using LRS technique and validated by Sanger sequencing. Additionally, we conducted a systematic review of known SVs and evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of various methods in analyzing complex SVs.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study identified a novel SV in the α-globin gene cluster and demonstrated that LRS was a superior approach for detecting novel rare SVs. The appropriate use of LRS significantly improves diagnostic accuracy when conventional methods are not capable of completely identifying complex SVs.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":"20 1","pages":"153"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11963660/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143772835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nicola Yuill, Camilla Elphick, Jess Marshall, Wendy D Jones, Jane Waite, Hannah Viner
{"title":"Behavioral profiles and social relationships in Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome: parent reports on 25 cases.","authors":"Nicola Yuill, Camilla Elphick, Jess Marshall, Wendy D Jones, Jane Waite, Hannah Viner","doi":"10.1186/s13023-025-03643-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-025-03643-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome (WSS) is a rare, variable neurodevelopmental condition associated with developmental delay, intellectual disability and congenital abnormalities. There are few investigations into behavioral characteristics. Importantly, parental perspectives are particularly lacking. This study investigated commonalities in the behavioral characteristics through the perspectives of parents' lived experiences.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We conducted in-depth interviews with 25 parents of children with WSS in the United States and United Kingdom, tapping lived experience and specific examples of behavior, relationships and communication. Responses were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We report three main themes: intense sociability (confirming questionnaire-based research), intense relationships and executive dysregulation (novel findings). We also found previously unreported sensory sensitivities and cognitive patterns of uneven memory and poor comprehension.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These data direct from parent experience reveal novel commonalities in behavior and relationships in this group. Findings should inform clinical assessment and diagnosis, new research questions and choice of patient-focused outcome measures for clinical interventions. The findings also contribute to improved practice in providing care and support for people with WSS and their families and to guidelines for more tailored education and improved healthcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":"20 1","pages":"154"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11963677/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143772837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shanice Beerepoot, Lucas Grinwis, Adeline L Vanderver, Marjo S van der Knaap, Taco W Kuijpers
{"title":"Tofacitinib treatment for psoriatic skin lesions associated with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome 7/Singleton-Merten syndrome 1.","authors":"Shanice Beerepoot, Lucas Grinwis, Adeline L Vanderver, Marjo S van der Knaap, Taco W Kuijpers","doi":"10.1186/s13023-025-03675-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-025-03675-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this letter to the editor is to illustrate the effect of tofacitinib on psoriatic skin lesions in a patient with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) type 7/Singleton-Merten syndrome 1. AGS is characterized by an encephalopathy of variable severity and systemic autoinflammatory manifestations due to continuous type I interferon (IFN) induction. While traditional JAK 1/2 inhibitors like baricitinib and ruxolitinib have proven effectiveness for systemic inflammatory symptoms, they face reimbursement issues in some countries. Tofacitinib, a JAK 1/3 inhibitor, significantly improved psoriatic skin lesions in our patient without the need for additional immunosuppressive therapy. Within one month of starting tofacitinib, psoriatic rashes and ulcerative skin lesions markedly improved, in the absence of a reduction in the IFN-stimulated gene signature or CD169 expression on monocytes. The clinical benefits persisted until the treatment was discontinued, after which symptoms recurred. Resuming tofacitinib treatment again led to improvement. No adverse effects were observed. This case highlights the potential of tofacitinib as a clinically effective treatment for psoriatic skin lesions in AGS and offers a viable alternative for JAK 1/2 inhibitors for this target symptom. Further studies are needed to confirm the long-term safety of JAK 1/3 inhibitors in AGS as well as their possible efficacy and dosing to address other systemic symptoms or neurologic manifestations.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":"20 1","pages":"155"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11967008/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143772843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carlee Gilbert, Kate M Bennett, Andrew Bush, Christopher Brown
{"title":"Like walking through treacle: the experience of fatigue for young people with interstitial lung disease.","authors":"Carlee Gilbert, Kate M Bennett, Andrew Bush, Christopher Brown","doi":"10.1186/s13023-025-03607-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-025-03607-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Interstitial Lung Disease in childhood (chILD) is rare, and little research has been conducted into the experience of fatigue. Fatigue is a complex phenomenon that can be difficult to quantify due to the various physiological and psychological factors involved. However, fatigue can significantly impact a range of quality-of-life areas for those with a respiratory condition. Our aim is to understand if there are any clinical or research needs relating to fatigue for young people with chILD. This qualitative, non-clinical study explores the lived experience of fatigue in young people with chILD. Fifteen participants comprising child-parent dyads (n = 2), young adults (n = 4) and parents (n = 9) were recruited from chILD patient organisations and online communities. We focused on the experience of fatigue in terms of how it is communicated, the symptoms, and their impact. We explored whether any factors led to the young person being motivated to push beyond fatigue. Data was analysed by constructivist grounded theory. There were three main themes of interest: (i) the experience of fatigue that includes reporting abnormal weakness and behavioural affect; (ii) the consequences of fatigue, such as its impact on education, society, and quality-of-life; (iii) motivational strategies and supportive measures that help young people manage their fatigue. Fatigue is a complex, multi-dimensional phenomenon for those living with chILD. For future work, we recommend incorporating the discussion of fatigue into clinic settings to assess any quality-of-life burden factors alongside living with chILD.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":"20 1","pages":"151"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11959944/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143764525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}