Cirrhosis in Werner's syndrome: an unusual presentation of premature aging.
BACKGROUND
Werner's syndrome (WS) is an rare autosomal recessive, hereditary systemic disease with progeroid features, usually presenting in adolescence. It is associated with increased genetic instability and elevated risk of neoplasia. Clinical manifestations include sinall stature, scleroderma-like changes in the skin,juvenile cataracts, and premature aging. It has been reported mostly in ophthalmological, dermatological, and orthopedics literature. It is now being correctly acknowledged as a condition where a lack of Werner's protein (WRN protein) results in an overall decline of normal physiological functions of various organ systems. Cirrhosis is an extremely rare manifestation of Werner's syndrome and has been reported in <4% of patients.


METHODS
A case of cirrhosis in a patient with Werner's syndrome is described. A 25-year-old male presented with features of p remature senility and progressive abdominal distension with black tarry stools of over six months duration. His clinical presentation and work-up including a biopsy were consistent with cirrhosis. The work-up for other causes of chronic liver disease was negative. He was medically managed for portal hypertension. Despite maximal medical therapy, he (tied due to recurrent episodes of hematemesis.


CONCLUSIONS
This case is not only the first documented case of Werner's from Pakistan, but describes an unusual presentation: cirrhosis, a very rare complication of WS. O verproduction of types I and III collagen and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis secondary to insulin resistance and dyslipidemia possibly contribute to cirrhosis in WS.
Hakeem
Abdul
A
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53705, USA. a.hakeem@hosp.wisc.edu
Reza
Shahzad
S
Moinuddin
Salman
S
Bhatti
Sabha
S
Khalid
Imran
I
Noor
Rahat
R
Mahmood
Khalid
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019588:Aging, Premature / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D014898:Werner Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology