According to an article from Thomas Jefferson University, researchers are able to predict future heart diseases. Dr. Uitto says that, "this is predictive personalized medicine at its best." Specifically, Dr. Uitto's research team has been looking for mutations in families with genetic skin disorders such as epidermolysis bullosa or EB. This condition is so severe that even the slightest touch can cause painful blisters and poor healing wounds. This article by Standford Medicine highlights that there are several forms of EB that range from mild to severe. Researchers analyze DNA, isolated from blood samples, for sequence variants in a set of 21 genes known to harbor mutations that cause EB. In early infancy, these patients have had fragile skin, thickened skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. If this condition is too severe, it can result in the patient needing a heart transplant. Easily diagnosis can help the patients and families with treatment.
This article has very important research. It's very informative especially as it concerns life threatening diseases that could be potentially lethal. Because EB is a very serious skin condition the fact that it could lead to a need of having to have a heart transplant indicates that other illness could contribute to other severe conditions. Hopefully more research can be done to help ease those with the skin condition and even prevent the need of having to have surgery.
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