Kaschin-Beck disease, also known by the synonyms Cashing-Beck disease or Kaschin-Beck syndrome, affects about three million people worldwide. It is a non-contagious and non-inflammatory disease of the joints and bones. The name is derived from its two discoverers, physician Nikolai Ivanovich Kashin and scientist Melinda A. Beck.
What is Kaschin-Beck disease?
Kaschin-Beck disease is the name of a disease that affects the bone apparatus and all joints. The consequences are characterized by deformities of legs and arms. It is prevalent in eastern Siberia, northern China and Tibet. Characteristic here is the particular regional concentration, which is often limited to individual smaller areas. By far the most recorded cases are in Transbaikalia and Tibet, often near rivers or lakes. Men and women are equally affected by the disease. Kashin-Beck disease is particularly common in children and adolescents who are in the rapid growth phase. In this case, joint cartilage is degenerated due to a malfunction in the body. The disease is chronic and has not yet been completely cured. Untreated Kaschin-Beck disease can have a negative effect on life expectancy. Affected persons are often unable to work and therefore live in poor conditions. Animals can also contract the syndrome.
Causes
The exact causes of Kaschin-Beck disease are not yet fully known, but a deficiency of selenium and several other minerals probably plays a significant role. The formation of bone tissue is inhibited by these deficiencies. Some toxic substances are also discussed as a possible cause of the outbreak. One example of such a toxin is the mold Fusarium sporotrichoides. Since Kashin-Beck disease is almost always concentrated in individual regions in terms of its distribution, an imbalance of trace elements in drinking water and soil is also a possible trigger. Exceptionally high levels of manganese, iron and strontium have been measured in the water in the regions concerned. Other environmental influences are also suspected as an indirect cause.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Symptoms of Kaschin-Beck disease may vary depending on the age of the affected individual and the duration of his or her illness. In children aged about four to six years, there are deformities of the joints that are strikingly symmetrical. There may occasionally be increased bleeding. Short stature may also be present. Very early symptoms may include stiffness, as well as repeated cramps and pain in the calves, fingers, spine, and all muscles. Pain and cramps appear clustered in the evening or at night. Advanced severity of Kaschin-Beck disease is also accompanied by loss of appetite, a wrinkled skin surface, heart pain and increasing headaches. Also a sign of the disease are brittle fingernails and dull hair.
Diagnosis and course of the disease
Diagnosis is made on the basis of the symptoms mentioned above. In addition, an x-ray is usually taken for visual inspection. Even more certainty about the patient’s condition is provided by a differential diagnosis. In this case, the individual symptoms are compared with the symptoms of similar diseases. Since the disease can go unnoticed for a long time, it is recommended to perform a thorough medical examination at the first signs. There are three different degrees of severity of Kaschin-Beck disease: During the first, usually only limited thickening of individual joints on fingers and toes is visible. Affected individuals feel only moderate pain when stressing these joints. With the 2nd degree of severity, the mobility and load-bearing capacity of the affected body parts is additionally restricted and deformations as well as thickenings increase. The third and at the same time most severe stage of the disease is manifested by a drastic inhibition of growth and very severe deformations that can occur all over the body. Patients who are in this stage almost always have a very small stature. Kaschin-Beck disease progresses most rapidly during the growth stages between the ages of four and six.
When should you see a doctor?
Persistent discomfort of the joints and bones should be examined by a doctor.If the affected person suffers from impairment for several days or weeks, this is unusual. Medical tests must be performed to clarify the cause. If there are deformities of the skeletal system, disturbances in mobility or general mobility, or a loss of the usual ability to perform, a doctor should be consulted. If the symptoms occur in people who are in Tibet, Siberia or northern China, a check-up visit to a doctor should be made immediately. Since the disease occurs regionally, visitors as well as residents of this region are particularly at risk. Discomfort of the articular cartilages is considered a warning sign and the first indication of an existing irregularity. Since the disease leads to lifelong impairments, an inability to work and a shortening of the general life expectancy without timely medical care, a visit to the doctor is necessary. A visit to the doctor is necessary in case of short stature, increased bleeding tendency, cramps, as well as pain in the bones and joints. If the irregularities continue to spread throughout the body, medical attention must be sought. If there are brittle nails, headaches or a loss of appetite, a doctor is also needed. Heart pain and changes in hair quality on the head are other signs of a disorder that needs to be investigated.
Treatment and therapy
It is still not possible to cure Kaschin-Beck disease completely. However, the progression of the disease can be successfully delayed with timely and proper therapy. Treatment should be started as early as possible, as the chances of improvement are highest here. There are various therapeutic options to choose from, such as massage, remedial gymnastics or numerous biological stimulants. Calcium and phosphorus can help relieve pain and increase the patient’s mobility. Treatment with selenium, on the other hand, often does not improve the patient’s health after the onset of the disease. Another option is surgical correction of the affected areas of the body. Such procedures have already been performed with success by Chinese orthopedists and can provide relief and greater mobility for affected patients.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis for Kaschin-Beck disease is unfavorable. To date, scientists and researchers have not been able to develop a sufficient treatment option that leads to a cure. To date, the cause of the disorder is not fully understood. Consequently, doctors treat the symptoms of the affected person and use individual treatment methods. The deficiency of selenium is present in almost all patients. This is attempted to be compensated. As a result, most sufferers experience relief from their symptoms and their general condition begins to stabilize. In addition, surgical procedures are used for malpositions or other deformations of the skeletal system. The goal here is to improve the quality of life so that the psychological burden is reduced and the ability to cope with everyday life is improved. The interventions are associated with risks and side effects. The operations do not always proceed without further complications. Consequential diseases may occur. In addition, rehabilitation measures are necessary. Patients with Kaschin-Beck disease must undergo lifelong therapy. Regular check-ups are necessary so that a quick reaction can be made in case of changes and abnormalities. Overall, the disease represents an immense challenge for the affected person and their relatives due to the large number of impairments. Mobility is limited and cannot be improved to a natural level despite all efforts.
Prevention
Numerous methods can be considered as preventive measures and prevention. However, these depend on the region in which the patient is located. A good supply of selenium and other elements that are deficient is among the first and most important steps. Any deficiencies in vitamins or calcium should be corrected as soon as possible. As a final safe precaution, children and adolescents of appropriate age can be placed under medical observation. Special pediatric clinics are available for this purpose in some areas with particularly high numbers of recorded cases of Kashin-Beck disease.
Aftercare
In most cases, there are no special aftercare options available to the person affected by Kaschin-Beck disease, as the disease often cannot be completely cured. First and foremost, the diagnosis should be made as early as possible so that no further complications can occur. A doctor should therefore be consulted at the first signs and symptoms of the disease in order to prevent further deterioration of the symptoms. In many cases, the treatment itself is carried out by means of physiotherapy or physiotherapeutic exercises. In some cases, the exercises from these therapies can also be repeated in the patient’s own home, which may accelerate the healing process. Taking various medications or supplements can also have a positive effect on the further course of the disease. However, the correct dosage and also the regular intake of these remedies must always be observed. Furthermore, those affected by Kaschin-Beck disease often need the support and help of their families. This can also alleviate or prevent possible psychological complaints. As a rule, Kaschin-Beck disease does not reduce the life expectancy of the affected person.
What you can do yourself
Individuals with Kaschin-Beck disease cannot be cured. Currently, the best approaches to relief are, first, a diet rich in iodine and physical therapy to keep the limbs moving flexibly. These two approaches in particular should also be followed in everyday life. With an appropriate iodine-rich diet, such as haddock, pollock, plaice, mussels, cod, tuna, spinach or rye bread, the disease seems to progress more slowly. Through daily stretching exercises, sufferers describe having less pain in their daily lives and the disease becomes more tolerable. These should initially be guided by a specially trained physiotherapist, but should then be incorporated into the daily routine. Although current evidence suggests that the disease is caused by a selenium deficiency, subsequent selenium supplementation may not improve the condition. This self-treatment should be discouraged. Kaschin-Beck disease often occurs in specific regions and also has a very high prevalence rate there (up to 50 percent). Therefore, it should be mentioned here that an important aspect of everyday life with the disease should be the prevention of individuals who are not yet affected. This can be done primarily through a balanced diet starting in early childhood.
