Questions posted in the Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: Kawasaki Disease

Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic: Heart Disease


I was diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease when I was 12 years old. I am now 28 years old and have been wondering if there are any studies showing the incidence of long term effects of the disease (and not just heart complications). I was tested for heart problems while in the hospital, 1 year later, and then again 5 years later. Thankfully,no heart problems were found in any of those tests. I am currently experiencing problems that seem to be repetitive strain injuries in my arms and hands and will be seeing a specialist soon. I remember having the pain from arthritis in my fingers when I was in the hospital with Kawasaki. Is it possible this could end up being a precursor for arthritis in Kawasaki patients later on? I would appreciate any direction you can give me about finding any research or collection of information about Kawasaki patients later in life. Thank You.

Dear Tammi, thank you for your question. Generally, Kawasaki's Disease is a self-limited problem that mostly resolves after the acute phase of the illness. As you know, Kawasaki's is primarily seen in children and is identified by conjunctivitis, reddening of the palms, lips, and oral cavity, a generalized rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The cardiac manifestations of Kawasaki's are mainly the formation of coronary artery aneurysms and inflammation of the heart muscle and the pericardium. Coronary aneurysms are the most worrisome complication so an echocardiogram is usually done when Kawasaki's is diagnosed to rule out this problem. I presume that was done in your case. However, it appears to be rare that coronary aneurysms develop after the acute phase of the illness. Thus, I doubt that you have any cardiac involvement at this point, but you would need to be evaluated by your own physician to be sure. The pain in your arms and hands is probably from repetitive motion injuries and not from delayed Kawasaki's arthritis. For more information on the long-term complications of Kawasaki's Disease, try these articles which could be found at any medical library.

Kato H, et. al. Circulation. 1996;94:1379-1385.
Dajani AS, et. al. Circulation. 1993;87:1776-1780.
Dajani AS, et. al. Circulation. 1994;89:916-922.

I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions. Good luck!

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