We're celebrating
40 years!
Last updated:
June 26, 2017
Years published: 1989, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2017
NORD gratefully acknowledges Alexandra Piel, NORD Editorial Intern from the University of Connecticut, and Stephanie E. Wallace, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, for assistance in the preparation of this report.
Summary
Camurati-Engelmann disease (CED) is characterized by increased bone density primarily affecting the long bones of the arms and legs and the skull. The thickening of these bones leads to pain, a waddling gait, muscle weakness, and extreme fatigue. Increased density of the skull can cause a variety of neurological deficits such as headaches, hearing loss, vision problems, dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and even facial paralysis. The first symptoms of the condition can appear at varying ages, but usually during childhood, with pain and proximal muscle weakness developing by adolescence. CED is often diagnosed based on a physical exam and radiographic findings (X-rays). CED is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and is caused by changes (mutations) in the TGFB1 gene.
The first signs and symptoms of CED are usually limb pain, a waddling gait, muscle weakness, and extreme tiredness. If the bones at the base of the skull are affected, the individual may experience headaches, hearing loss, vision problems, vertigo, tinnitus, and even facial paralysis. Additional musculoskeletal features include scoliosis, joint contractures, knock knees, and flat feet. The individual may also present with abnormally long limbs in proportion to the height of their body, a decrease in muscle mass and body fat, visible prominence of the long bones in the legs, and rarely delayed puberty. While the first signs and symptoms can appear at varying ages, most appear during childhood or adolescence.
The signs and symptoms of CED can be extremely variable even among affected family members. Some individuals with a TGFB1 mutation do not develop signs or symptoms of the disease or evidence of increased bone density on X-ray examination (i.e., reduced penetrance).
CED is caused by mutations in TGFB1 which encodes transforming growth factor beta-1 protein. This protein helps control the growth and proliferation of cells, the process by which the cells mature and begin to specify (differentiate), cell movement, and cell directed self-destruction (apoptosis). The specific protein plays a huge role during prenatal development in the formation of blood vessels, the regulation of muscle tissue and body fat development, wound healing, and immune system function. The protein is most abundant in skeletal tissue and the extracellular matrix that provides structural support and nutrients to the surrounding cells.
Normally, TGFB1 is inactive until a chemical signal is sent to turn it on. TGFB1 mutations that cause CED result in the gene being always turned on and active. This leads to increased bone density and decreased fat and muscle tissue, contributing to the symptoms listed above. Most individuals with CED have a TGFB1 mutation identified on molecular genetic testing, but some affected individuals do not.
CED is inherited as an autosomal dominant condition. This occurs when only a single copy of the mutated gene is needed to cause a specific disorder. The altered gene can be inherited from either parent, or can be a new mutation in the affected individual. The risk of transmitting the disease to the offspring of an affected parent is 50%, and is the same for males and females. Rarely, the disease can come from a spontaneous genetic mutation in the egg or sperm cell. In these people, the disease isn’t inherited from the one of the parents, but the individual can still pass it to their offspring.
The prevalence of CED is unknown; more than 300affected people have been reported worldwide.
The diagnosis of CED is based on a physical examination after an individual presents with limb pain and weakness. Imaging studies such as X-rays show thickening of the long bones which can initially be asymmetric, but progresses to become bilateral and symmetric. The bones involved are usually the femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, radius, ulna, and the skull base. Molecular genetic testing for mutations in TGFB1 is available to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment for CED consists of management of symptoms. To manage the pain caused by the thickening of the bones, individuals may be treated with corticosteroids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Corticosteroids have shown benefits in affected individuals. Although they are helpful to improve walking, the major side effects of taking corticosteroids long term may outweigh the benefits of the drugs. Some of these side effects include high blood sugar, increased risk of infections, and suppressed adrenal hormone production. Losartan has been reported to reduce limb pain and increase muscle strength in some individuals. No formal studies have been completed on the efficacy of losartan and data are limited on the long term effects and benefits of this drug.
For those with hearing problems caused by the thickening of the bones of the base of the skull, decompression surgery in which a small piece of the base of the skull is removed has been done in some individuals with mixed results. This procedure can result in an increased risk of complications as well as the possibility for bone to re-grow after the surgery.
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Toll-free: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: prpl@cc.nih.gov
Some current clinical trials also are posted on the following page on the NORD website: https://rarediseases.org/living-with-a-rare-disease/find-clinical-trials/
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, in the main, contact: www.centerwatch.com
For information about clinical trials conducted in Europe, contact: https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/
INTERNET
Wallace SE, Wilcox WR. Camurati-Engelmann Disease. 2004 Jun 25 [Updated 2015 Mar 5]. In: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2017. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1156/ Accessed April 19, 2017.
Camurati-Engelmann disease. Genetics Home Reference. Reviewed April 2008. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/camurati-engelmann-disease Accessed April 19, 2017
Camurati-Engelmann disease. Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center. Last updated: 3/15/2016. https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/1072/camurati-engelmann-disease. Accessed April 19, 2017.
Camurati-Engelmann disease. Orphanet. Last update: November 2013. https://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/OC_Exp.php?Expert=1328 Accessed April 19, 2017.
NORD strives to open new assistance programs as funding allows. If we don’t have a program for you now, please continue to check back with us.
NORD and MedicAlert Foundation have teamed up on a new program to provide protection to rare disease patients in emergency situations.
Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/medicalert-assistance-program/Ensuring that patients and caregivers are armed with the tools they need to live their best lives while managing their rare condition is a vital part of NORD’s mission.
Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/rare-disease-educational-support/This first-of-its-kind assistance program is designed for caregivers of a child or adult diagnosed with a rare disorder.
Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/caregiver-respite/