The Royal Court of Norway has revealed that Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis.
The Royal Court announced today, “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.”
Additionally, the Court said, regarding her slow progressing diagnosis, there has been a “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 Crown Princess released a statement along with the press release, “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 the official programme. In connection with treatment and when the disease is more active, this will be necessary.”
Crown Princess Mette-Marit will undergo treatment at Oslo University Hospital in cooperation with medical professionals from abroad.
A statement from Professor Kristian Bjøro said, “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.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, pulmonary fibrosis “is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for your lungs to work properly. As pulmonary fibrosis worsens, you become progressively more short of breath.”
In the same press release, Her Royal Highness added, “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 programme as much as possible.”
The Royal Court stressed that finding the disease early “is favourable considering the prognosis.”
