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$Unique_ID{BRK03895}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Kearns-Sayre Syndrome}
$Subject{Kearns-Sayre Syndrome Heart block-Retinitis
Pigmentosa-Ophthalmoplegia Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) Ophthalmoplegia Cardiac
Arrhythmias }
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1987, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
367:
Kearns-Sayre Syndrome
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Kearns-Sayre Syndrome) is
not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the
alternate names, disorder subdivisions, and related disorders covered by this
article.
Synonyms
Heart block-Retinitis Pigmentosa-Ophthalmoplegia
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)
Ophthalmoplegia
Cardiac Arrhythmias
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Kearns-Sayre Syndrome is a rare muscular disorder characterized by
paralysis of the eye, face and mouth muscles in combination with vision and
hearing deficits. The heart muscle is always involved and in some patients
brain function can be affected.
Symptoms
Kearns-Sayre Syndrome affects muscle cells in several areas of the body.
Cell structures (mitochondria) which release energy in muscles become
impaired. The heart is a muscle which also can be affected. The wall of the
heart becomes inflamed, occasionally leading to irregular heartbeats. The
heart may become enlarged. Slowly progressive paralysis of the muscles
controlling the eyes (ophthalmoplegia) can occur. Weakness of facial and
mouth muscles, the eyelids (causing lid drooping) and muscles of the arms or
legs are also symptomatic of this disorder.
Reduced brain function and retinal degeneration causing impaired vision
can also occur in patients with Kearns-Sayre Syndrome.
Causes
The exact cause of Kearns-Sayre Syndrome is unknown. The change in cell
structure (mitochondria) which affects eye, facial and heart muscles is under
investigation. However, the significance and nature of the modified cells is
not yet understood.
Affected Population
Males and females may be affected in equal numbers with Kearns-Sayre
Syndrome. This disorder usually begins before twenty years of age.
Related Disorders
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is one of a group of inherited vision disorders
causing degeneration of the retina. When the retina degenerates, vision
decreases and may be lost. Retinitis Pigmentosa may be associated with other
symptoms such as deafness (i.e., Usher Syndrome), central nervous system
disorders, metabolic disorders and other hereditary conditions such as
Turner's Syndrome. (For more information, choose "RP" and "Turner" as your
search terms in the Rare Disease Database).
Ophthalmoplegia is defined as paralysis of the external muscles of the
eye. This symptom can occur in conjunction with Kearns-Sayre Syndrome as
well as other disorders. Ophthalmoplegia may be caused by neurological or
muscle lesions.
Cardiac Arrhythmias are a variation of normal heart beat patterns. Any
heart beat abnormality should receive prompt medical attention to avoid
serious complications, but some arrhythmias may be benign such as those caused
by caffeine or nicotine.
Therapies: Standard
A pacemaker and/or various anti-arrhythmic drugs can be useful in treating
heart beat irregularities caused by Kearns-Sayre Syndrome. Other treatment
is symptomatic and supportive.
Therapies: Investigational
Coenzyme Q10 is being investigated as a treatment for Kearns-Sayre Syndrome.
This compound appears to improve release of energy by muscle mitochondria in
preliminary tests. Heart, vision and neurologic symptoms may also improve
with this therapy. More research on Coenzyme Q10 is needed to determine its
long-term safety and effectiveness.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
March 1987. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Kearns-Sayre Syndrome, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
American Heart Association
7320 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 750-5300
RP Foundation Fighting Blindness
1401 Mt. Royal Avenue, 4th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21217
(800) 638-2300
(301) 225-9400
TDD (301) 225-9409
NIH/National Eye Institute
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD
(301) 496-5248
The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information
Clearinghouse
Box AMS
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 495-4484
References
HEART INVOLVEMENT IN PROGRESSIVE EXTERNAL OPHTHALMOPLEGIA (KEARNS-SAYRE
SYNDROME): ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIC, HEMODYNAMIC AND MORPHOLOGIC FINDINGS.: B.
Schwartzkopff, et. al.; Z Kardiol (March 1986, issue 75(3)). Pp. 161-169.
TREATMENT OF KEARNS-SAYRE SYNDROME WITH COENZYME Q10: S. Ogasahara, et.
al.; Neurology (January 1986, issue 36(1)). Pp. 45-53.
THE FINE STRUCTURE OF THE INTRAMITOCHONDRIAL CRYSTALLOIDS IN
MITOCHONDRIAL MYOPATHY: T.M. Mukherjee, et. al.; J Submicrosc Cytol (July
1986, issue 18(3)). Pp. 595-604.