A 35-years old lady presented with dysphagia, nocturnal asthma and weight loss for 6 years. The most probable diagnosis is not related-surgery
**Question:** A 35-years old lady presented with dysphagia, nocturnal asthma and weight loss for 6 years. The most probable diagnosis is not related-surgery
**Core Concept:**
The given symptoms can be attributed to a condition known as "Weight Loss Asthma Dysphagia" (WALD) syndrome, which is a rare entity characterized by the association of weight loss, dysphagia, and asthma without any clear surgical etiology. The syndrome is named based on the principal symptoms.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
In this case, the correct answer is **D**. The correct answer should address the three main symptoms: weight loss, dysphagia, and nocturnal asthma.
Weight Loss: Wasting away of body tissues is a cardinal feature of WALD syndrome. The weight loss is usually progressive and unexplained, often leading to cachexia, which is defined as involuntary weight loss of 5% or more body weight in six months or 10% or more weight in a year.
Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia) is a common symptom in WALD syndrome. The patient may experience difficulty swallowing both solid and liquid food, which can lead to malnutrition and dehydration.
Nocturnal asthma: Another prominent symptom of the syndrome is nocturnal asthma, characterized by recurrent episodes of asthma during sleep. This is different from the typical presentation of asthma, which is usually brought on by allergens, exercise, or infections.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Weight loss (nocturnal asthma) - The patient presents with both weight loss and nocturnal asthma, which are not the core symptoms of WALD syndrome.
B. Weight loss (dysphagia) - Although weight loss is present, dysphagia is not the primary symptom in this option.
C. Weight loss (asthma) - Asthma is not the primary symptom in this option, as the patient presents with weight loss and dysphagia.
D. Weight loss (asthma) - In this option, asthma is the primary symptom, which is not the typical presentation of WALD syndrome. In contrast, the patient presents with weight loss and dysphagia.
**Clinical Pearls:**
1. WALD syndrome is a rare entity that should be considered in patients with unexplained weight loss, dysphagia, and nocturnal asthma, especially if these symptoms are not related to a specific disease process or surgical intervention.
2. In such cases, further investigations like chest radiography, blood tests (including thyroid profile), and endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) can help to identify the underlying cause of these symptoms.
3. Understanding WALD syndrome is essential for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy planning, as the condition may lead to significant morbidity and mortality if not appropriately investigated and treated.
4. Weight loss, dysphagia, and nocturnal asthma in a patient should prompt a thorough clinical examination, investigations, and differential diagnosis.