Urticaria-Deafness-Amyloidosis
Urticaria-Deafness-Amyloidosis Causes
The disease is caused by a defect in the CIAS1 gene, which creates the protein cryopyrin.
Urticaria-Deafness-Amyloidosis Definition
Also known as Muckle-Wells syndrome, Urticaria-deafness-amyloidosis (UDA) was first described in 1962 by Thomas James Muckle and Michael Vernon Wells. It is a rare autosomal disease, which causes sensorineural deafness, recurrent hives, and can lead to amyloidosis. MWS happens when a mutation in the CIAS1 gene leads to increased activity of the cryopyrin protein. The disorder is closely related to two other syndromes, familial cold urticaria and neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease.
Urticaria-Deafness-Amyloidosis Diagnosis
Diagnostic criteria are purely clinical but genetic diagnosis is considered currently feasible. There are only moderate non-specific signs of inflammation during the course of inflammatory attacks associated to the disorder. Biochemical analyses may be useful to exclude certain diseases that can be considered as a function of the clinical signs present.
Urticaria-Deafness-Amyloidosis Symptoms and Signs
The common symptom for MWS is inflammation all over the body, which includes, fever, arthritis, and malaise. The chronic inflammation associated with MWS can lead to deafness. Prolonged inflammation can also lead to deposition of proteins in the kidney, a condition known as amyloidosis.
Urticaria-Deafness-Amyloidosis Treatment
There is no known treatment to prevent urticarial attacks. To correct deafness, hearing aids may be used.