a comprehensive study of a lifelong suffering
Victoria Wapf
© Victoria Wapf, 2016
© Julia Kravchenko, cover design, 2016
ISBN 978-5-4483-1531-2
Created with intellectual publishing system Ridero
The disease of Chopin – A comprehensive study of his lifelong suffering
“This book by Dr. Victoria Wapf is an example of excellent research of Chopin’s suffering.”
– Prof. Tadeusz Dobosz, M.D., Ph. D., Chair of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, PL
“Dr. Wapf contributes to the honored tradition old doctor-patient relationship as she describes suffering on one particular patient who happened to be a famous musician. This book has challenges and lessons for all.”
– Prof. Dmitry Kazakov, MD, Prague and Zurich, CZ/CH
“Whether it is the nineteenth or the twenty-first century, one size does not fit all and even in the age of personalized medicine it is still important to listen to your patient not only thorough your stethoscope. Sometimes it takes many years to find out the whole story, but this is what we owe to our patients. May Dr. Wapf continue to inspire us all to do so.”
– Dr. Ina Ladnar, graduate of Cologne University medical school, Frankfurt-am-Main, DE
“I discovered a lot while reading this historical patient’s acts in between seeing my own patients.”
– Dr. Ursina Jenny, family practice physician, Zürich, CH
“Dr. Wapf’s book is a meticulously researched and beatifully told story. Rarely does one get to see the review of classical and alternative medicine interwoven in one patient’s file stretching over two centuries. A must-read for all medical students, physicians and patients.”
– Ruta Novikaite, graduate of Vilnius University medical school, LT
“Not only has Dr. Wapf systematised and analylsed the huge volume of information, but she also ispired me to look at the existing dogma from another point of view and think outside of the box.”
– Dr. Nora H. Gräni, dermatologist, Frauenfeld Hospital, CH
“Not your usual biography book. Exceptionally thorough and very educational.”
– Dr. Matthias Walther, dermatologist, University Hospital Zurich, CH
“Dr. Victoria Wapf is an excellent researcher and a narrator. ‘The disease of Chopin’ is not only the first modern description of Chopin’s pathology, but also the perfect combination of informative, cultural and thoughtful.”
– Natalia Kucsora, pathology resident, Szeged and Zürich, HU/CH
“As a passionate musician I felt that this book has rekindled my spirit through a better understanding on how much can one achieve despite of physical ailments. This book is the perfect gift for every admirer of Chopin’s. Give a copy to your family doc, too!”
– Bota Tynybekova, violinist, a winner of the Mazur Competition (RU), the Kocian Violin Competition (CZ), the Education Price of Werner and Berti lifetime Foundation (CH) and a fellow the Zangger Weber Foundation, Zürich, CH
“I met Victoria through work and has read her book afterwards – and was inspired by her drive to discover new aspects of seemingly ubiquitous subjects and her zest for lifelong improvement. This encounter has changes how I view my daily medical practice.”
– Dr. Malgorzata Thrombik, general practitioner in private practice, Warsaw and Zürich, PL/CH
“Love music? Appreciate medicine? Enjoy a good reading? Try this book by Dr. Wapf”.
– Dr. Oh Choon Chiat, dermatological surgeon, Singapore General Hospital, SG
“Victoria’s writing has given me even more motivation and inspiration to become the excellent, caring, and attentive doctor I’ve laways want to be.”
– Theresa Häusler, graduate of Vienna University medical school, AT
“In an effort to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, quality medical care, today’s average doctor has forgotten to consider the real evidence: the patient. Dr. Wapf’s book puts the things into perspective that we as health care providers owe to our patients – both actual and historical ones.”
– Dr. Alexandr Garmaev, general surgeon, Moscow, RU
Abstract
Introduction
The life of the Polish-French pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin (1810—1849) was, to a great extent, influenced by his disease. Nevertheless, the diagnosis and differential diagnoses of his suffering remain a matter of debates in numerous biographical studies on the composer’s life. This study shall conduct a systematization and overview of Chopin’s medical history, in an effort to outline pathways to his most probable diagnosis.
Overview of methods
In this paper, the medical literature on Chopin’s disease was examined to weigh up the existing evidence in the light of today’s medical knowledge and to define possible ways to extend such evidence with modern diagnostic methods. The literature search included three steps. First, a thorough search for available publications was conducted to identify and acquire all medical documents describing F. Chopin’s status and disease (s). The second step involved sifting of the reference lists in the articles retrieved from the first step. The third step was aimed at the retrieval of complementary documents of interest (for example, biographic, demographic or historical documents authored by specialists other than medical professionals) that may help to understand Chopin’s disease in its historical, cultural and social context.
Results
Based on the existing data, it was found that the diagnosis of tuberculosis still outweighs the cystic fibrosis version in Chopin’s case. However, various noxious factors during his life may have shaped the course and severity of the disease. Fully inadequate – by today’s standards – and often potentially harmful treatment (including bloodletting, herbal remedies or other potentially toxic substances) as well as a prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke (passive smoking) could have played a crucial role in Chopin’s pathology, bringing the pianist and composer closer to his death.
Conclusions
The total body of evidence gathered from the current and historical literature allows for a strong presumption of tuberculosis as Chopin’s diagnosis. However, other primary diagnoses, comorbidities, as well as consequences of an iatrogenic exposure should still be regarded and may not be fully discounted.
An analysis of existing tissue specimens could yield additional valuable information and help to resolve the decades-long discussion about Chopin’s diagnosis.
List of abbreviations
AAT – alpha-1-antitrypsin
ABPA – allergic bronchopneumonic aspergillosis
CF – cystic fibrosis (mucoviscidosis)
CVID – common variable immunodeficiency
EGPA – eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
GPS – anti-glomerular basement membrane disease (Goodpasture’s syndrome)
HHT – hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
PAH – pulmonary arterial hypertension
PAVM – pulmonary arteriovenous malformations
PCD – primary ciliary dyskinesia
PH – pulmonary hemosiderosis
PID – primary immunodeficiency
SERPINA – serine proteinase