Werner Syndrome: Aging Too Fast

Werner syndrome or progeria is a rather rare inherited disease that consists of aging too quickly (prematurely). Specifically, at the age of 20 or 30, people with this disease have many characteristics of the elderly.

Experts are not sure of the number of people affected, but estimate that there is one case for every 200,000 people. However, there are only 1300 documented cases. Interestingly, most of them appeared in Japan.

Werner syndrome produces some very characteristic symptoms. Patients have a small stature and a physique that is usually found in a very elderly person (for example, with wrinkles and white hair). However, physical appearance is not the only thing affected by this syndrome.

In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about Werner syndrome.

What is Werner syndrome or aging too fast?

Werner’s syndrome – also called progeria in adults – is an autosomal recessive disease. The cause of this pathology is a mutation in the WRN gene.

Patients are completely normal at birth and throughout childhood. In fact, the first manifestations usually appear between the ages of 20 and 30. However, during adolescence, there is a clear symptom: there is no increase typical of puberty.

As already mentioned, the most obvious symptoms are related to appearance. These individuals have a small stature, with spots on the skin typical of aging and white hair. The skin is also thinner and the voice is often altered.

However, this is not the most relevant aspect of Werner syndrome. The problem is that these people are more prone to certain diseases. First, he often suffers from osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. And cataracts affect them quite often.

In addition, they tend to have weaker hearing and stiffer and more painful joints. It is possible to have almost any condition typical of a person over 65 years.

What other diseases are related to Werner syndrome?

This syndrome is often accompanied by other skin problems, such as ankle ulcers. In addition, there is an association with diabetes. Normally, age also acts as a risk factor for this disease.

People with Werner syndrome have a much higher risk of developing cancer. The most common is melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer. There is also a high incidence of sarcomas.

However, the leading cause of death in these people is different. Most die from a heart attack because atherosclerosis spreads faster than in healthy people.

How is Werner syndrome diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Werner syndrome can be complicated because it is a rare disease. Most of the time, it requires a thorough analysis. The symptoms are quite obvious in almost all cases.

If cytology is not enough, genetic tests can be done to look for the gene mutation. Once a person has been diagnosed, it is important to explain all the characteristics of the disease.

Because it is an inherited disease, the patient must be informed that his descendants may develop the same syndrome. For this reason, it is recommended that other family members be subjected to genetic testing.

Is it possible to treat and live with Werner syndrome?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease. Treatment is based on the control of all associated diseases. This requires frequent tests and examinations.

In addition, psychological support is essential, because life with this disease can be very difficult. Although it is a rare disease, Werner syndrome is very serious.