In the early 1960s, a physician published a paper which stated that President Abraham Lincoln had Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. The diagnosis was based on physical observations of Lincoln: the fact that he was much taller than most men of his day, with long limbs, an abnormally-shaped chest, and loose (lax) joints (based on written descriptions).
Since then, other physicians have disputed a diagnosis of Marfan syndrome for Lincoln. Most recently, at a scientific workshop held in October 2001 in Cairo, Egypt, the scientists gathered there felt that there was not enough scientific evidence available to definitely diagnose President Lincoln with the disorder.
What is Marfan syndrome?
Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder of connective tissue, although about one-quarter of all cases occur without any family history of the syndrome. It affects both men and women of any ethnic background.
Marfan syndrome affects many parts of the body, including:
- Heart - The main artery which carries blood away from the heart, the aorta, is weak and fragile, and can tear or burst if left untreated. The heart's mitral valve can also leak or fail.
- Bones and joints - People with Marfan syndrome tend to have long limbs and are usually, but not always, tall. The syndrome can also cause spine problems, abnormally-shaped chest, and loose joints.
- Eyes - The syndrome often causes nearsightedness, and about 50% of the time dislocation of the lens of the eye.
How is the syndrome diagnosed?
Not all of the symptoms listed may be present in a person with Marfan syndrome. The diagnosis of Marfan syndrome is based on 4 criteria: family history, heart symptoms, skeletal symptoms, and eye symptoms. A thorough physical examination should be done, as well as special testing:
- A complete family medical history and family tree
- Echocardiogram (uses sound waves to give a picture of the heart) by a cardiologist
- Examination of the skeleton and measurement of body proportions by an orthopedic doctor
- Full eye examination by an ophthalmologist
Absolute diagnosis can be made by checking the person's DNA to see if he or she has the defective gene that causes the syndrome.
How is it treated?
There is no cure for Marfan syndrome, but with good medical care most people can live a normal lifespan. The biggest threat to people with the syndrome is the sudden tearing of the aorta, a medical emergency which can be fatal. Therefore, close monitoring by a cardiologist and surgical repair of a weak aorta will save many lives. Blood pressure medications can also reduce stress on the aorta, as can avoiding strenuous exercise and contact sports.
In addition, regular physical examinations to monitor bones and joints and eye exams to watch for lens dislocation will help the person with Marfan syndrome.
Information for this article was taken from:
- The Ambassadors Online Magazine. The Maladies of Celebrities. Vol. 5 Issue 1, January 2002.
- National Marfan Foundation: Fact Sheet.
- National Marfan Foundation. Early heart repair for Marfan syndrome patients critical to survival.
