title: It wasn't Witchcraft--It was Huntington Disease!
abstract: Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant, incurable, progressive disorder that manifests with chorea and behavioral and cognitive impairment. The disease usually occurs during the fourth or fifth decade of life; however, it may present at any age. Clinical suspicion is confirmed by genetic testing. Death occurs, on average, 15 to 20 years after the onset of symptoms. Here we report about a Hispanic woman and her family who were affected by the disease; this case illustrates the role of cultural values and beliefs in the decision-making process, as well as the importance of the physician's cultural competency in fostering a trusting relationship that may lessen the burden of catastrophic diseases on individuals, families, and society at-large.
authors.forename: Eribeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Penaranda
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Montgomery
mesh_terms: D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D009229:Mythology; D018599:Witchcraft