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Published on: July 14, 2016
Familial Ménière's disease: clinical and genetic aspects
A W Morrison1, M E S Bailey, G A J Morrison
1Late Honorary Consultant, The Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
Background And Purpose:
Ménière's disease is not uncommon, with an incidence in Caucasians of about one in 2000. The incidence peaks in the fifth decade. Cases are usually isolated or sporadic, but in perhaps five per cent other family members are affected. We report here the clinical and genetic characteristics of a comprehensive set of familial Ménière's disease cases from the UK.
Methods:
Forty-six affected families were studied. All cases were diagnosed using the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery committee on hearing and equilibrium 1995, or more stringent, criteria.
Outcomes And Results:
Autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance was the most likely mode of inheritance overall. Apparent genetic anticipation was observed, but may also be a result of ascertainment bias given the collection strategy. There was also a slight tendency for cases to result from maternal transmission within the families in this set. The family pedigrees are presented, and the authors have also set up a website at which all the pedigrees may be viewed in greater detail.
Insights
Familial Ménière
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
Background:
- Ménière's disease affects approximately 1 in 2000 Caucasians, typically in their fifth decade.
- While often sporadic, 5% of Ménière's disease cases have a familial component.
- This study focuses on the clinical and genetic aspects of familial Ménière's disease in the UK.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of familial Ménière's disease.
- To analyze inheritance patterns within affected families.
Main Methods:
- Studied 46 families with Ménière's disease.
- Diagnoses confirmed using the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery criteria (1995) or stricter guidelines.
Main Results:
- Autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance is the most probable inheritance pattern.
- Potential genetic anticipation was noted, possibly due to ascertainment bias.
- A slight trend towards maternal transmission was observed.
Conclusions:
- Familial Ménière's disease exhibits autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance.
- Further research into genetic anticipation and transmission patterns is warranted.
- Detailed family pedigrees are available for review.
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