Freeman-Sheldon syndrome (FSS) is a rare human neuromusculoskeletal disorder present before birth, involving primarily limb and craniofacial deformities. The hypotheses in the present study of FSS and related conditions are: (1) FSS and related conditions are associated with higher rates of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and reduced quality of life than is observed in the general population; (2) persons close to an individual with FSS or related condition suffer similarly; and (3) current measures, which are single-disease specific (i.e., PTSS, depression, craniofacial deformities, or limb deformities), do not capture the unique picture of FSS and related conditions, which involve both limb and craniofacial deformities in an intellectually capable individual. There have been no studies looking at quality of life associated with FSS. Some authors have looked at quality of life in persons with facial differences; other authors have looked at bone and joint problems. Many other authors have looked at PTSS and depression caused by health problems and bad medical experiences. No authors have looked at these problems when they happen together, as they do in FSS. Because of the above, there may be differences in patients that have FSS versus patients in previous quality of life studies. The study will also develop and validate an outcomes-based quality of life survey for FSS and related conditions.
This study is a research project initiated by the graduate research student (Mikaela I. Poling) and assisted by the clinical genetics fellow and graduate student (Andrés Morales) in partial fulfilment the requirements for their Masters degrees in Clinical and Applied Physiology, under approval, direction, and supervision of the study PI (Rodger J. McCormick). Mental Health and Congenital Deformities: Apajasalo et al. (1998) found significantly decreased health-related quality of life versus controls among adults and youth ages with chondrodysplasias. Differences in adult scores were in the areas of mobility, usual activities, and sexual activity and discomfort. Youth scores differed more in school and hobbies and friends and physical appearance. Didierjean-Pillet (2002) stressed concern for aesthetics of reconstruction in consideration of psychiatric impacts of congenital deformities in psychosocial functioning. Nagata et al. (2008) found that 20% of mothers with children operated on for congenital disease were likely to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They found that pro-active, effective participation in the child's care may alleviate PTSS. Vitale et al. (2005) found quality of life survey scores among clubfoot patients compatible with age-matched controls, in agreement with Roye (2001), and not correlated to radiograph appearance. They advised quality of life survey scores be primary endpoint in determining therapeutic outcome. Engell et al. (2007) found significant post-operative improvement in the Short Form-12 Health Survey physical component scale in congenital clubbed-foot patients in the Danish Twin Registry. Vitale et al. (2001) observed that tailored quality of life scales were required for paediatric orthopaedic populations. Hawkins and Radcliffe (2006) concluded there was a lack of appropriate and validated PTSD measures for paediatric patients. Part of this problem of lacking validated paediatric PTSD measures was likely do to non-comprehensive Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV Text-Revision criteria. Relevance to Current Study: Because FSS-related deformities were more comprehensive, treatment-resistant, and associated with poorer clinical outcome, quality of life studies not including a subset of FSS patients may not be appropriate in the more challenging clinical picture of FSS-related deformities. In many conditions, disorder-specific quality of life measures (QLM) showed increased sensitivity and specificity over general QLMs and were important therapeutic tools to assess efficacy of and prioritise interventions. Results of disorder-specific QLMs were important predictors of clinical outcome.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
6
Completed by patients before clinical examination; it is a 17-item survey listing of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.
Completed by patients before clinical examination; it is a 16-item survey designed for use in persons with chronic illness.
Completed by patients before clinical examination; it is a 20-item survey that asks about depressive feelings and behaviours in the past week.
Completed by patients before clinical examination; it is a checklist of medical problems.
Completed during the clinical examination by the researchers, it is a structured approach to evaluation of muscles, joints, arms, thighs, and legs.
Completed during the clinical examination by the researchers, it is a structured approach to a full physical examination, minus breasts, genitalia or rectum.
Completed during the clinical examination by the researchers, it is a structured approach to evaluation of symptoms, signs, and perceptions that may be related to FSS, PTSS, or depressive problems.
Completed after data analysis from the existing surveys and clinical examination, it will be a specific quality of life survey developed and tested during the study; it will take into consideration individual's total health outcome.
Completed during the clinical examination by the researchers, lactate, glucose, and free and total adenosine triphosphate blood levels are determined at rest.
Freeman-Sheldon Research Group, Inc. Headquarters
Buckhannon, West Virginia, United States
San Juan de Dios General Hospital
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Situational Mental Health in Persons with FSS or Related Condition
Increased frequency of mental health symptoms and diagnoses (PTSS, Depression, and reduced quality of life) over expected for general population
Time frame: Evaluated during 1-2 study visits (lasting an average of 1-3 hours each) and in self-completed surveys, over an average of 2-4 years from enrolment
Situational Mental Health in Family and Others with a Close Relationship to a Person with FSS or Related Condition
Increased frequency of mental health symptoms and diagnoses (PTSS, Depression, and reduced quality of life) over expected for general population
Time frame: Evaluated during 1-2 study visits (lasting an average of 1-3 hours each) and in self-completed surveys, over an average of 2-4 years from enrolment
Current Survey Correlation with Disorder-Specific Survey for FSS and Related Conditions
Ability of current surveys to capture full picture of quality of life for persons, families, and others affected by FSS and related conditions will be assessed to determine need for a disorder-specific survey and usefulness of existing surveys.
Time frame: Evaluated during 1-2 study visits (lasting an average of 1-3 hours each) and in self-completed surveys, over an average of 2-4 years from enrolment
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