January 28th is Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS) awareness day so join us for some fun but educational myth busters! SMAS is a rare digestive condition that occurs when the first part of the small intestine is compressed between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. This condition has a higher prevalence in people with EDS or CTDs, yet providers are still misinformed when diagnosing and treating this condition. Have you been told one of these myths by a provider before? @Charlie Stevens ID: 1. squashing myths about superior mesenteric artery syndrome. 2. Purple background with text, “myth: you have to throw up to be diagnosed with SMAS. FACT: vomiting is a common symptom of SMAS, but it is not required for diagnosis. SMAS presents in many ways and while someone might experience excessive vomiting, another person may rarely vomit.” 3. Purple background with text, “MYTH: you can only have smas if you’re underweight. FACT: while any body type can develop SMAS, it is often associated with a significant weight loss. SMAS does not only occur in “thin” people.” 4. Purple background with text, “MYTH: all cases of smas need surgery OR be resolved with weight gain. FACT: All cases will require different and varying treatment. Some SMA cases can be resolved with weight gain by building up the mesenteric fat tissue. However, other cases will need supplemental nutrition or surgical treatment. 5. Purple background with text, “MYTH: SMAS is an unseen condition with little history of it in medial literature. FACT: It was first reported in 1842 by Carl von Rokitansky. In 1927 David Wilkie described SMAS extensively in a case study which lead to the nickname, “Wilkie’s Syndrome”. However, while documented, it still remains widely misunderstood even by present day providers and requires further research.” 6. Purple background with text, “MYTH: SMAS is seen occurring equal between men and women. FACT: SMAS occurs more often in women than men with a documented ratio of 3:2.” 7. Purple background with text, “MYTH: Once SMAS is treated (conservatively or surgically) it can’t relapse. FACT: Conservative treatments like weight gain have a 71% - 85% success rate with a reoccurrence rate of 15%. Surgical treatments such as a DDJ (duodenojejunostomy) have a success rate of 90% and a 10% failure rate vs. The Strong procedure has a success rate of 75% and a 25% failure rate.“ 8. Purple background with text, “MYTH: If you’re diagnosed with SMAS, you can’t have a “normal” life. FACT: Managing SMAS and the symptoms that come along with it can be very difficult. Some people with SMAS are able work, eat in small portions, exercise, etc. Just because your life looks a little different than others, doesn’t mean you can’t participate in activities that bring you joy.“ 9. purple background titled REFERENCES: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10294176/#:~:text=This%20compression%20can%20cause%20obstructive%20symptoms%20and,people%20of%20any%20age%20or%20body%20type. https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7712/superior-mesenteric-artery-syndrome https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482209/#:~:text=While%20an%20accurate%20prevalence%20of,Go%20to: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213576616302688#:~:text=Management%20of%20the%20overall%20SMA,fusion%20with%20some%20series%20having https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8857992/
#smas #superiormesentericarterysyndrome #vascularcompression #raredisease