Characterization of Pain, Disability, and Psychological Burden in Marfan Syndrome

Have you heard about Marfan Syndrome? Generally, Marfan syndrome affects the connective tissue that anchors and supports your organs and other body parts. Marfan syndrome usually affects the eyes, heart, blood vessels, and skeleton.

If you have Marfan syndrome, you may be at risk of developing various malignancies. For instance, Marfan syndrome patients may experience an increased risk of developing mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a cancer condition linked to asbestos that typically develops at a later stage. It’s a rare neoplasm that could be favored by a hereditary predisposing factor like Marfan’s syndrome. In fact, genetic predisposition to mineral fiber carcinogenesis has resulted in a mesothelioma epidemic among families in the U.S. and Turkey.

If you or your loved one has these conditions, you can significantly improve the recovery plan by understanding the various stages of mesothelioma by visiting MesotheliomaGroup.

Suppose you or a loved one has Marfan Syndrome. In that case, you may ask: What are the adverse impacts of this condition on people’s psychological and physical health? Also, what treatments can help people manage the symptoms of Marfan syndrome?

This article explains the potential effects of Marfan Syndrome on your physical and psychological well-being. Also included in this article are suggestions on how to manage Marfan Syndrome symptoms.

The Potential Impact of Marfan Syndrome on Patients’ Physical and Psychological Health

How you perceive pain may lead to psychological impairment.

For instance, a study suggests that pain is a significant problem for Marfan syndrome patients, with pain averaging moderate and unremitting for most.

Your physical health is one of the main predictors of pain severity. Still, pain catastrophizing and poor mental health may also be essential factors.

It’s common for Marfan syndrome patients to feel pain in their lower back, but some people feel it all over. Additionally, pain may occur from the onset of Marfan syndrome and frequently progresses throughout the body.

But the study above showed that nearly half of the participants had no pain diagnosis. There’s a good chance that many Marfan syndrome patients experience chronic pain since they don’t get evaluated. So they don’t get treated right.

It might be that the condition’s musculoskeletal symptoms are less life-threatening and don’t get much attention. Still, due to its persistence, Marfan syndrome might be a chronic pain condition.

Overall, the information above suggests that, like other chronic conditions, Marfan syndrome-related pain and psychological factors correlate.

Marfan syndrome causes changes to the heart and blood vessels in about 90% of Marfan Syndrome patients. These changes may include:

Aortic aneurysm: This condition occurs when the main artery’s walls that deliver blood from your heart to your body weaken, bulge, and burst.
Abnormal heart rhythm: Some people with Marfan syndrome may experience arrhythmias, typically related to heart valve issues.

Marfan syndrome requires regular imaging tests to monitor your aorta’s size and condition.

Also, if you have Marfan syndrome, you may display the following physical features:

An elongated, narrow face
A thin and tall body type
It may seem like you have longer arms, legs, fingers, or toes than usual
Indented or protruding breastbone (sternum)
Weak and easily dislocated joints
Flat feet

At the same time, you may experience dental problems like:

Tooth crowding
A narrow, high-arched palate (roof of the mouth)

3 Marfan Syndrome Treatments

Marfan patients often need multidisciplinary pain management and psychological approach.

It’s possible to treat or prevent some complications of Marfan syndrome, such as heart disease, bone deformities, crooked teeth, and collapsed lungs.

Here are three treatment options for Marfan syndrome:

Medications

This approach may include:

Beta-blockers: These medications improve your heart’s ability to relax and lower your heart’s forcefulness and artery pressure. These effects may help prevent or slow down the enlargement of the aorta.
Angiotensin receptor blockers: These drugs treat high blood pressure and heart failure.

Lifestyle Changes

Understanding Marfan syndrome and how to manage it is crucial for those with the condition.

Lifestyle choices that reduce stress on the body may help improve the quality of life and general well-being of people with Marfan syndrome. A healthcare professional can recommend a healthy lifestyle for you.

Depending on the body parts affected and to what degree, lifestyle changes may include:

Avoiding contact sports
Refraining from physical activities that use isometric exercises, such as weight training and carrying heavy objects
Doing only gentle, moderate exercise

Surgery

Some people with Marfan syndrome don’t have all the complications. Those with Marfan syndrome need to watch out for these complications:

Problems with the heart valves and aortic aneurysms
A sunken or protruding breastbone, scoliosis (curved spine)
Crowded or crooked teeth, which may require dental treatment
Respiratory difficulties caused by a collapsed lung

Genetic testing is often necessary to confirm Marfan syndrome as a diagnosis. If the test indicates a Marfan mutation, your family members may also request tests to determine whether they’re also affected by the condition.

If you want to start a family, discuss your chances of passing Marfan syndrome onto your children with a genetic counselor.