# Prader-Willi Syndrome in Adulthood: A Case Report of Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Features Not Well Documented in the Literature

**Authors:** Isaac Elijah, Gurnoor S Gill, Allen Sklaver

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.92962 · Cureus · 2025-09-22

## TL;DR

This case report describes a 32-year-old man with Prader-Willi Syndrome who exhibited rare dermatologic and ophthalmic features not commonly documented in the literature.

## Contribution

The paper highlights previously underreported dermatologic and ophthalmic features in adult Prader-Willi Syndrome patients.

## Key findings

- The patient exhibited psoriasis and ophthalmic abnormalities (bilateral proptosis and a dense cataract), which are not commonly associated with PWS.
- Late diagnosis led to severe obesity, hypertension, prediabetes, and musculoskeletal impairment.
- The presence of psoriasis and ocular findings suggests a link between chronic inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and PWS-related endocrine dysfunction.

## Abstract

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder that presents in infancy with feeding difficulties and hypotonia, later progressing to compulsive eating and metabolic complications. This case describes a 32-year-old male with genetically undiagnosed PWS, presenting with progressive muscular weakness, severe obesity (BMI 39.3), cognitive impairment, and functional decline. Notably, he exhibited psoriasis and ophthalmic abnormalities (bilateral proptosis and a dense cataract), which are not commonly associated with PWS. These findings reflect potential secondary complications from prolonged metabolic dysfunction and inadequate medical management into adulthood. This case highlights the severe consequences of late diagnosis, including uncontrolled obesity, hypertension, prediabetes, and musculoskeletal impairment. The presence of psoriasis and ocular findings suggests a potential interplay between chronic inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and PWS-related endocrine dysfunction. This case highlights the potential importance of early recognition, multidisciplinary management, and long-term follow-up in individuals with PWS, which may help reduce the risk of progressive disability and associated comorbidities.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Prader-Willi Syndrome (MONDO:0008300), psoriasis (MONDO:0005083), prediabetes (MONDO:0006920)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** musculoskeletal impairment (MESH:D009140), chronic (MESH:D002908), inflammation (MESH:D007249), metabolic syndrome (MESH:D024821), endocrine dysfunction (MESH:D004700), hypotonia (MESH:D009123), cognitive impairment (MESH:D003072), obesity (MESH:D009765), prediabetes (MESH:D011236), hypertension (MESH:D006973), genetic disorder (MESH:D030342), metabolic dysfunction (MESH:D008659), psoriasis (MESH:D011565), muscular weakness (MESH:D018908), PWS (MESH:D011218), ophthalmic abnormalities (MESH:C535922), proptosis (MESH:D005094), cataract (MESH:D002386), compulsive eating (MESH:D000073932)

## Full text

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## References

25 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12543412/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12543412