Grumpy Cat
05-19-2010, 05:58 AM
Faeroes susceptible to deadly illness
Monday, 17 May 2010 14:21 RC News
Islanders suffer from rare genetic illness in far greater numbers than people in the rest of the world
A deadly genetic disease that is normally very rare is apparently hitting people on the Faroe Islands hard, according to new research.
The illness is called carnitine transporter deficiency and typically affects only around 1 in 50,000-100,000 people. In Denmark only two Danes have been diagnosed with the disease in the last 30 years.
But on the Faeroe Islands health authorities have already found nearly 100 people with the condition in just the past few months.
People with CTD are lacking carnitine, a natural substance used by cells to process fats. Without it the body is unable to convert the fats into energy, and this can cause the heart to pump too hard and suddenly stop.
Researchers had already been aware of the relatively high incidence of CTD on the Faeroes, but the seriousness of the situation really took hold early last year, when a 21-year-old man died of cardiac arrest at his dorm room. His sister had died a few years earlier, also of a heart attack.
While the family of the two pressured health authorities for answers, another young woman died of cardiac arrest this past January. This led to health authorities to initiate a free screening programme a few months ago for all 48,000 of the nation’s residents.
Those who have been diagnosed with the disease will now receive carnitine supplements to correct the illness’ detrimental effects.
But many Faeroese have been shaken by the breadth of the genetic disease among their population – one which often kills young adults.
Sissal Kampmann, who lives in Denmark but comes from the Faeroe Islands, has two brothers who were diagnosed with CTD through the screening programme.
‘You really panic with this type of illness where you can’t see anything and you have no clue as to whether you’re healthy or not,’ she told public broadcaster DR. ‘And then I began worrying that my daughter might also be ill. It’s been a shock.’
Health authorities estimate that 1 out of every 500 Faeroese probably carry the gene that causes CTD. It was only 15 years ago that the first cases were discovered, found in two children by a paediatrician.
Researchers at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen are now racing to examine as many Faroese as possible for CTD.
‘Unfortunately we’ve seen people die from this disease and it can happen very suddenly, so it’s important we find the affected patients and get them treated as soon as possible,’ said Dr. Allan Meldgaard Lund.
Lund said CTD can jump generations in a family, but to contract the illness both parents must carry the gene.
Up to 10 percent of the Faroese population appear to be bearers of CTD, according to studies. And many marry other Faeroese, increasing the risk of their children developing the disease.
But CDT is not the only genetic defect plaguing the Faroese. Researchers say that between 8-10 other serious genetic illnesses are proving to be far more widespread in the Faeroes compared to the rest of the world – including cystic fibrosis, liver diseases and other physical and mental disabilities.
Monday, 17 May 2010 14:21 RC News
Islanders suffer from rare genetic illness in far greater numbers than people in the rest of the world
A deadly genetic disease that is normally very rare is apparently hitting people on the Faroe Islands hard, according to new research.
The illness is called carnitine transporter deficiency and typically affects only around 1 in 50,000-100,000 people. In Denmark only two Danes have been diagnosed with the disease in the last 30 years.
But on the Faeroe Islands health authorities have already found nearly 100 people with the condition in just the past few months.
People with CTD are lacking carnitine, a natural substance used by cells to process fats. Without it the body is unable to convert the fats into energy, and this can cause the heart to pump too hard and suddenly stop.
Researchers had already been aware of the relatively high incidence of CTD on the Faeroes, but the seriousness of the situation really took hold early last year, when a 21-year-old man died of cardiac arrest at his dorm room. His sister had died a few years earlier, also of a heart attack.
While the family of the two pressured health authorities for answers, another young woman died of cardiac arrest this past January. This led to health authorities to initiate a free screening programme a few months ago for all 48,000 of the nation’s residents.
Those who have been diagnosed with the disease will now receive carnitine supplements to correct the illness’ detrimental effects.
But many Faeroese have been shaken by the breadth of the genetic disease among their population – one which often kills young adults.
Sissal Kampmann, who lives in Denmark but comes from the Faeroe Islands, has two brothers who were diagnosed with CTD through the screening programme.
‘You really panic with this type of illness where you can’t see anything and you have no clue as to whether you’re healthy or not,’ she told public broadcaster DR. ‘And then I began worrying that my daughter might also be ill. It’s been a shock.’
Health authorities estimate that 1 out of every 500 Faeroese probably carry the gene that causes CTD. It was only 15 years ago that the first cases were discovered, found in two children by a paediatrician.
Researchers at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen are now racing to examine as many Faroese as possible for CTD.
‘Unfortunately we’ve seen people die from this disease and it can happen very suddenly, so it’s important we find the affected patients and get them treated as soon as possible,’ said Dr. Allan Meldgaard Lund.
Lund said CTD can jump generations in a family, but to contract the illness both parents must carry the gene.
Up to 10 percent of the Faroese population appear to be bearers of CTD, according to studies. And many marry other Faeroese, increasing the risk of their children developing the disease.
But CDT is not the only genetic defect plaguing the Faroese. Researchers say that between 8-10 other serious genetic illnesses are proving to be far more widespread in the Faeroes compared to the rest of the world – including cystic fibrosis, liver diseases and other physical and mental disabilities.