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Survey Study and Records Review of Treatment Outcomes in Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome

Terminated
Conditions
Sheldon-Hall Syndrome
Gordon Syndrome
Arthrogryposis Distal Type 3
Arthrogryposis Distal Type 1
Craniofacial Abnormalities
Arthrogryposis Distal Type 2A
Craniocarpotarsal Dysplasia
Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome Variant
Arthrogryposis Distal Type 2B
Arthrogryposis
Interventions
Other: PTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C)
Other: Modified Flanagan Quality of Life Scale
Other: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
Other: Functional Enquiry (or Review of Systems) Form
Other: Study of Therapeutic Outcomes and Practices in Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome (STOP-FSS) Questionnaire
Other: FSRG Semi-Structured Quality of Life Interview (FSRG SSQLI)
Other: Medical Records Review
Registration Number
NCT01144741
Lead Sponsor
Freeman-Sheldon Research Group, Inc.
Brief Summary

Freeman-Sheldon syndrome (FSS) is a rare muscle disorder present before birth, involving primarily problems of the face and skull and the hands and feet.

This is a study of problems, experiences, helpful treatments, and quality of life focusing on patients with FSS but including patients with Sheldon-Hall syndrome (SHS), distal arthrogryposis type 1 (DA1), and distal arthrogryposis type 3 (DA3), also called Gorden syndrome. These and related disorders are very challenging to treat, partly because the big differences in individual patients and lack of information on previous clinical experience with treatment options. It is hoped the study will identify areas for further research in physiology and therapy.

This study will cover all types of treatment \[medical (non-surgical), including psychiatric, and surgical treatments\], even unconventional. It also includes questions about effects on the patient's thoughts, feelings, quality of life, and relationship with siblings, family, and parents' and if any intervention was required or advised. This study will also look for similarities and differences in patients who meet the head and face part of the diagnostic criteria but do not meet all other parts and patients who met the full diagnostic criteria. There will be questions about problems or experiences to investigate if both groups of patients may have the same syndrome. Treatment success depends on getting a correct diagnosis.

Detailed Description

This study was initiated by the research assistant (Mikaela I. Poling) and assisted by another research assistant (J. Andrés Morales), as part of their academic project on these syndromes, under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (Robert L Chamberlain).

Classic FSS, SHS, DA1, and DA3 are poorly understood pathological entities that share some similar physical findings to FSS. Stevenson et al. (2006) provided the only study to date on FSS features and history. They did not, however, focus on therapeutic outcomes, and there was limited anecdotal outcome data in single and multiple case reports.

The objectives for STOP-FSS are as follows: to evaluate (1) physical findings, possible frequency clusters, and complications of physical findings amongst patients with FSS; (2) posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms and associated therapeutic outcomes in patients with FSS, using single-disease specific (i.e., posttraumatic stress symptoms, chronic depression) measures; (3) document treatment types and outcomes; (4) evaluate quality of life in patients with FSS, using a general quality of life self-report measure and syndrome-specific semi-structured quality of life interview; (5) educational attainment and services used; (6) evaluate diagnostic accuracy of FSS and SHS, using the Stevenson criteria; and (7) evaluate possible differences with patients meeting the full Stevenson criteria and those fulfilling the craniofacial part of the Stevenson criteria, with or without additional malformations.

The following hypotheses are thus proposed. First, it is suggested that physical findings and frequency clusters will be similar to those previously reported, but complications of physical findings amongst patients with FSS, having received little attention in the literature, will be pronounced and result in nearly as significant of a disease burden for the patient as the primary physical findings themselves, e.g., intercostal myopathy eventually leading to right heart failure in some patients. Second, it is suggested that FSS is associated with higher rates of posttraumatic stress symptoms, depressive symptoms than is observed in the general population. Third, it is suggested that physiotherapy alone or with surgery is expected to be superior to surgery alone, especially for patients with FSS, in treating most problems, but surgery may have an important role, especially treating blepharophimosis and in combination with intensive pre- and post-operative physiotherapy in treating selective tendon lengthening in hands and feet. Fourth, it is suggested that FSS is associated with reduced quality of life than is observed in the general population. Fifth, it is suggested that when patients with FSS who do not have neurocognitive features receive the appropriate academic services, they frequently excel beyond family and peers, and it is also suggested that most patients with FSS do not receive educational services that are responsive to their unique needs and abilities, e.g., placement in 'special' classes or schools based on the patient's appearance or poorly conducted intelligence tests. Sixth, it is suggested, based on systematic review and meta-analysis preliminary results, that two-thirds of patients with a stated diagnosis of FSS will not meet the Stevenson criteria and be rediagnosed, mostly as DA1. Seventh, it is suggested, based on systematic review and meta-analysis preliminary results, that two-thirds of patients with stated diagnosis of FSS who do not meet the Stevenson criteria, one-third will be meet the craniofacial stipulates of the Stevenson criteria, with or without additional malformations, and share a natural history with those who met the full Stevenson criteria.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
2
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients who have phenotypes consistent with (1) the Stevenson criteria for classic FBS or SHS; (2) one of four tentative FBS subtypes; or (3) DA1A, DA1B, or DA3.
  • Any of the following: (1) patients or parents of minor children willing to give consent, or (2) patients who are deceased or (3) retrospective chart review patients (living or deceased) who have enough clinical data available to establish the diagnosis and satisfy minimum data collection requirements.
  • Persons who speak English, Spanish, German, Russian, or Czech.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients who do not have phenotypes consistent with (1) the Stevenson criteria for classic FBS or SHS; (2) one of four tentative FBS subtypes; or (3) DA1A, DA1B, or DA3.
  • Any of the following: (1) patients or parents of minor children not willing to give consent, or (2) patients who are deceased or (3) retrospective chart review patients (living or deceased) who do not have enough clinical data available to establish the diagnosis and satisfy minimum data collection requirements.
  • Potentially persons who speak languages other than English, Spanish, German, Russian, or Czech, subject to translator availability

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Classic TypePTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C)Patients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia); whistling-face appearance (pursed lips); "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Classic TypeModified Flanagan Quality of Life ScalePatients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia); whistling-face appearance (pursed lips); "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Classic TypeFunctional Enquiry (or Review of Systems) FormPatients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia); whistling-face appearance (pursed lips); "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Craniofacial TypePTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C)Patients who have only the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia), whistling-face appearance (pursed lips), "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple, very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases).
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Mixed TypeCenter for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)Patients who have the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria and some but not all required joint problems.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Mixed TypeStudy of Therapeutic Outcomes and Practices in Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome (STOP-FSS) QuestionnairePatients who have the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria and some but not all required joint problems.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Classic TypeMedical Records ReviewPatients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia); whistling-face appearance (pursed lips); "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Craniofacial TypeStudy of Therapeutic Outcomes and Practices in Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome (STOP-FSS) QuestionnairePatients who have only the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia), whistling-face appearance (pursed lips), "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple, very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases).
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Mixed TypeModified Flanagan Quality of Life ScalePatients who have the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria and some but not all required joint problems.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Mixed TypeFSRG Semi-Structured Quality of Life Interview (FSRG SSQLI)Patients who have the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria and some but not all required joint problems.
Sheldon-Hall syndromeModified Flanagan Quality of Life ScalePatients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: small mouth (not microstomia); neck webbing (pterygium colli); small but prominent chin; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 1PTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C)Patients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 1Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)Patients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 1FSRG Semi-Structured Quality of Life Interview (FSRG SSQLI)Patients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 3Study of Therapeutic Outcomes and Practices in Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome (STOP-FSS) QuestionnairePatients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including: gap in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate); drooping eyelid (blepharoptosis); and backbones curve problems; and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Classic TypeCenter for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)Patients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia); whistling-face appearance (pursed lips); "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Craniofacial TypeFSRG Semi-Structured Quality of Life Interview (FSRG SSQLI)Patients who have only the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia), whistling-face appearance (pursed lips), "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple, very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases).
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Mixed TypePTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C)Patients who have the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria and some but not all required joint problems.
Sheldon-Hall syndromeStudy of Therapeutic Outcomes and Practices in Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome (STOP-FSS) QuestionnairePatients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: small mouth (not microstomia); neck webbing (pterygium colli); small but prominent chin; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 1Medical Records ReviewPatients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 3PTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C)Patients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including: gap in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate); drooping eyelid (blepharoptosis); and backbones curve problems; and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 3FSRG Semi-Structured Quality of Life Interview (FSRG SSQLI)Patients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including: gap in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate); drooping eyelid (blepharoptosis); and backbones curve problems; and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 3Medical Records ReviewPatients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including: gap in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate); drooping eyelid (blepharoptosis); and backbones curve problems; and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Classic TypeStudy of Therapeutic Outcomes and Practices in Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome (STOP-FSS) QuestionnairePatients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia); whistling-face appearance (pursed lips); "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Classic TypeFSRG Semi-Structured Quality of Life Interview (FSRG SSQLI)Patients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia); whistling-face appearance (pursed lips); "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Craniofacial TypeModified Flanagan Quality of Life ScalePatients who have only the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia), whistling-face appearance (pursed lips), "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple, very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases).
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Craniofacial TypeCenter for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)Patients who have only the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia), whistling-face appearance (pursed lips), "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple, very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases).
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Craniofacial TypeFunctional Enquiry (or Review of Systems) FormPatients who have only the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia), whistling-face appearance (pursed lips), "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple, very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases).
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Craniofacial TypeMedical Records ReviewPatients who have only the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria, including: very small mouth (microstomia), whistling-face appearance (pursed lips), "H" or "V" shaped chin dimple, very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases).
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Mixed TypeFunctional Enquiry (or Review of Systems) FormPatients who have the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria and some but not all required joint problems.
Freeman-Sheldon syndrome Mixed TypeMedical Records ReviewPatients who have the face and skull physical findings required by the Stevenson criteria and some but not all required joint problems.
Sheldon-Hall syndromeCenter for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)Patients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: small mouth (not microstomia); neck webbing (pterygium colli); small but prominent chin; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Sheldon-Hall syndromePTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C)Patients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: small mouth (not microstomia); neck webbing (pterygium colli); small but prominent chin; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Sheldon-Hall syndromeFunctional Enquiry (or Review of Systems) FormPatients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: small mouth (not microstomia); neck webbing (pterygium colli); small but prominent chin; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Sheldon-Hall syndromeFSRG Semi-Structured Quality of Life Interview (FSRG SSQLI)Patients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: small mouth (not microstomia); neck webbing (pterygium colli); small but prominent chin; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Sheldon-Hall syndromeMedical Records ReviewPatients who have all features required by the Stevenson criteria, including: small mouth (not microstomia); neck webbing (pterygium colli); small but prominent chin; very obvious down-slanting crease from the nostril to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial creases); and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 1Functional Enquiry (or Review of Systems) FormPatients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 3Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)Patients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including: gap in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate); drooping eyelid (blepharoptosis); and backbones curve problems; and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 3Functional Enquiry (or Review of Systems) FormPatients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including: gap in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate); drooping eyelid (blepharoptosis); and backbones curve problems; and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 1Modified Flanagan Quality of Life ScalePatients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 1Study of Therapeutic Outcomes and Practices in Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome (STOP-FSS) QuestionnairePatients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Distal Arthrogryposis Type 3Modified Flanagan Quality of Life ScalePatients with features consistent with this diagnosis, including: gap in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate); drooping eyelid (blepharoptosis); and backbones curve problems; and restricted movement in joints (contractures) of two or more body areas, often hands and feet, with fingers and toes frequently overlapping.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Physical Findings and Complications of Physical Findingsduring a single study interview, which lasts 1-2 hours

The frequency to which certain features of the syndromes contribute to mortality or morbidity, especially life-long functional impairment.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Posttraumatic Stress and Depressive Symptomsat study enrolment and during a single study interview, which lasts 1-2 hours

Increased frequency of mental health symptoms (posttraumatic and depressive) over expected for general population

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Freeman-Sheldon Research Group, Inc. Headquarters

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Buckhannon, West Virginia, United States

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