title: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is not rare in Japan.
abstract: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) is rarely reported in Japanese and other oriental populations. To examine if there is a racial difference in the prevalence of MEN 1, we initiated extensive work on patients with endocrine tumors for additional lesions, and annual screening of family members of affected patients. In a four-year study, eleven asymptomatic patients were found by family screening, and the number of patients with MEN 1 in our clinics increased from 16 to 38. Estimated prevalence of MEN 1 was no less than 0.018/1000. MEN 1 may not be as rare as had been thought in Japanese, and the prevalence of MEN 1 in Japanese would not be significantly different from that of Caucasians. Systemic surveillance and extensive screening of family members are required for early detection and management of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katai
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Itakura
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ikeo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iijima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aizawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hashizume
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018761:Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D010375:Pedigree; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence