Adult-Onset Still’s Disease
Have you ever heard about Adult-Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD) or Wissler-Fanconi syndrome? If not, this short article would be a great start to learn some basic information about it!
Adult-Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic auto-inflammatory disease that results from extremely high iron-binding iron-binding protein ferritin. The etiology or cause of the disease is still unknown, but some researchers attributed the onset of disease to an exaggerated and abnormal response to a viral or bacterial infection. The annual incidence is estimated to be around 1.6 per 1,000,000 population with an onset age of 16–25 and of 36–46 years.
Adult-Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD) is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Fever.
- Rash. (A salmon-pink rash on your trunk, arms, or legs)
- Sore throat.
- Achy and swollen joints.
- Muscle pain.
The diagnosis of adult-onset Still’s disease is difficult because there are no specific tests or distinguishing laboratory (histopathologic) findings that clearly differentiate the disorder from other similar disorders. It relies on diagnosis by exclusion. Several tests could be carried out like:
- Blood tests.
- X-ray.
- Echocardiogram.
- Blood tests.
- Serum ferritin level test
Currently, FDA approved Canakinumab (Ilaris) for the treatment of Adult-Onset Still’s Disease.
