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Endocrine and Metabolic Illnesses in Young Adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome

Eu-Seon Noh1, Min-Sun Kim1, Chiwoo Kim1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea.

Journal of Personalized Medicine
|June 24, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Young adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) face higher risks of metabolic and endocrine conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity. Early screening and intervention are crucial for better health outcomes in PWS patients.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Genetics
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder causing insatiable appetite and obesity.
  • Previous research on PWS health issues focused on older adults, leaving a gap in understanding younger adult complications.
  • Endocrine and metabolic illnesses in young adults with PWS remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of endocrine and metabolic illnesses in young adults with PWS.
  • To compare these health issues with a matched healthy control group.
  • To assess the impact of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment on obesity in adult PWS patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 68 individuals with PWS (aged 19-34 years).
  • Comparison with an age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy control group.
  • Analysis of endocrine and metabolic conditions, including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, bone density, and sleep apnea.

Main Results:

  • Young adults with PWS showed significantly higher rates of metabolic syndrome (35.3% vs. 4.4%), type 2 diabetes (50.0% vs. 5.4%), hypertension (30.8% vs. 16.1%), dyslipidemia (38.2% vs. 14.7%), decreased bone density (26.4% vs. 0.9%), and sleep apnea (32.3% vs. 4.4%).
  • Adult PWS patients on rhGH treatment had a lower likelihood of a BMI ≥ 30 (OR = 0.106).
  • These conditions may manifest in early adolescence.

Conclusions:

  • Young adults with PWS have a high burden of endocrine and metabolic comorbidities.
  • Continuous rhGH treatment may help manage obesity in adulthood.
  • Early screening and intervention are essential for managing PWS complications and improving long-term health.

Keywords:
Prader–Willi syndromedecreased bone densitydiabetes mellitusdyslipidemiaendocrineobesitysleep apneayoung adult

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