The UK MRC Mitochondrial Disease Patient Cohort Study: clinical phenotypes associated with the m.3243A>G mutation—implications for diagnosis and management
- Victoria Nesbitt1,
- Robert D S Pitceathly2,
- Doug M Turnbull1,
- Robert W Taylor1,
- Mary G Sweeney3,
- Ese E Mudanohwo3,
- Shamima Rahman2,
- Michael G Hanna2,
- Robert McFarland1
- 1Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research Group, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- 2MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
- 3Neurogenetics Unit, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
- Correspondence to Dr Robert McFarland, Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research Group, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK; robert.mcfarland{at}ncl.ac.uk
- Received 24 June 2012
- Revised 24 December 2012
- Accepted 26 December 2012
- Published Online First 25 January 2013
Abstract
Background Population-based studies suggest the m.3243A>G mutation in MTTL1 is the most common disease-causing mtDNA mutation, with a carrier rate of 1 in 400 people. The m.3243A>G mutation is associated with several clinical syndromes including mitochondrial encephalopathy lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), maternally inherited deafness and diabetes (MIDD) and progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO). Many patients affected by this mutation exhibit a clinical phenotype that does not fall within accepted criteria for the currently recognised classical mitochondrial syndromes.
Methods We have defined the phenotypic spectrum associated with the m.3243A>G mtDNA mutation in 129 patients, from 83 unrelated families, recruited to the Mitochondrial Disease Patient Cohort Study UK.
Results 10% of patients exhibited a classical MELAS phenotype, 30% had MIDD, 6% MELAS/MIDD, 2% MELAS/chronic PEO (CPEO) and 5% MIDD/CPEO overlap syndromes. 6% had PEO and other features of mitochondrial disease not consistent with another recognised syndrome. Isolated sensorineural hearing loss occurred in 3%. 28% of patients demonstrated a panoply of clinical features, which were not consistent with any of the classical syndromes associated with the m.3243A>G mutation. 9% of individuals harbouring the mutation were clinically asymptomatic.
Conclusion Following this study we propose guidelines for screening and for the management of confirmed cases.
