Fields condition,[1] also known as Fields' disease,[2][3] is a neuromuscular disease that is considered the rarest medical condition in the world. It was named after Welsh identical twins Catherine and Kirstie Fields, who are two of only three people known to have been affected.[4][5][6]
Symptoms
editThe disease appears to be progressive in nature. It was first noticed when the Fields twins were around the age of four. By the time they had reached the age of nine, they were having difficulty walking and needed frames to assist them with walking. Their muscles have been gradually deteriorating over time. The disease affects the twins' nerves, causing involuntary muscle movements such as trembling in the hands. They experience persistent and painful muscle spasms which are worsened by emotional distress. The twins require the use of wheelchairs for mobility and are unable to speak without the assistance of electronic speaking aids. There is no known cure or treatment.[1][7][8][9] As of 2014, the disease is of unknown etiology.[10]
The disease has had no apparent effect on the twins' brains or personalities. Doctors do not know if the disease is fatal and, if so, what the life expectancy of one with this disease is. If the cause of the disease is genetic, there is a chance that the twins could pass it on to their future children.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b "Rare condition named after twins". BBC NEWS. 2005-10-13. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ Hussein, Maharra (2017-02-28). "News from here and there". The National Medical Journal of India. 30. ISSN 0970-258X. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ Ribbink, Kim (2017-02-01). "Rare Disease Day Turns Spotlight on Research". PharmaVoice. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ Siegel-Itzkovich, Judy (2022-05-24). "Israeli researchers find possible new therapies for rare neurological disorder". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
One of them, called Field's Disease, is considered to be the rarest orphan disease, as only three people are known to have ever had it, two of them being the twin sisters Catherine and Kirstie Fields from Wales.
- ^ "Smile, you're a winner by miles". Manchester Evening News. 2005-10-13. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ "Twins with world's rarest medical condition celebrate 18th birthdays". Wales Online. 2012-09-08. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ a b Pietracci, Vittorio (2020-07-05). "Malattie Rare: La Malattia di Fields". TAGMEDICINA. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ Dicker, Ron (2012-09-13). "Paralyzed Twins: Double The Determination". HuffPost. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ "RARE DISEASE DAY" (PDF). HealthInsite. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ Berman, Jules J. (2014-06-02). Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs (PDF). Amsterdam Boston: Academic Press. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-12-419988-0.