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Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, the wife of Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the throne, has been diagnosed with Chronic Pulmonary Fibrosis, an auto-immune disease.
The 45-year-old Crown Princess has suffered from numerous ailments in the past decade, including a severe bout with vertigo. Finally, now her doctors have been able to pinpoint the illness.
Here is the press release from the Norwegian Court. I used Google translate as the English part of the site does not have the press release.
"Crown Princess's state of health
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been diagnosed with a chronic lung disease that, in periods, could limit the exercise of her official program.
The Crown Princess has undergone extensive investigations related to her health and an unusual variant of fibrosis has been detected in the lungs, according to the Crown Princess's doctor, Professor Kristian Bjøro at the National Hospital. It is not yet clear whether the pulmonary disease is linked to a more extensive autoimmune disease process or if there are other causes that underlie the lung changes.
"For a number of years, I have had health challenges on a regular basis, and now we know more about what these are in. The condition means that the working capacity will vary. The Crown Prince and I choose to inform about this now, partly because in future there will be a need to plan periods without official program. In connection with treatment and when the disease is more active, this will be necessary, says the Crown Princess.
Professor Bjøro states that the lung changes have already been followed for several years and that disease development during this period has been slow. Investigation and treatment takes place at Oslo University Hospital and in cooperation with doctors abroad.
"The Crown Princess will have to undergo further investigation in the future and also treatment trials. In such conditions as the Crown Princess has, it is common for us to cooperate with environments abroad, says Bjøro.
He further states that the reason for the type of fibrosis Crown Princess has been shown to a small extent is known, but there is broad consensus that it is not related to environmental or lifestyle factors as is the case with other more common types of pulmonary fibrosis.
The fact that the disease is proven at an early stage is favorable considering the prognosis.
"Although such a diagnosis in times will limit my life, I'm glad that the disease has been discovered so early. My goal is still to work and participate in the official program as much as possible, says the Crown Princess."
For more about the disease: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pulmonary-fibrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353690
There is no cure for the disease. The life expectancy for someone diagnosed with the disease is 3-5 years.
Hope you get well soon Madam, best wishes, greetings from Scotland.
ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry to hear this - I have a similar rare lung disease, with auto immune links, and have a treatment that is pretty much what the Crown Princess will likely have. I wish all the best to the Crown Princess and hope that, with treatment and the support of her family, she will do as well as possible in the years to come. She is very courageous to share this news.
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