Published in

Karger Publishers, International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 8(182), p. 697-708, 2021

DOI: 10.1159/000513896

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Decreasing Attacks and Improving Quality of Life through a Systematic Management Program for Patients with Hereditary Angioedema

This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.
This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.

Full text: Unavailable

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Prevention of attacks is a major goal in management of patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE). We aimed to investigate the effects of a systematic intervention for HAE patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Thirty-three patients with HAE with C1-inhibitor deficiency, belonging to a single family, participated in a management program coordinated by an allergist/immunologist. Angioedema attacks before intervention were ascertained by interviews and emergency room charts and recorded prospectively by patients or caregivers after enrollment. Mean number of attacks/month was compared at 12 months preintervention and 8 and 14 months within intervention. Patient-reported outcome instruments were used to assess quality of life, including HAE Quality of Life (HAE-QoL) questionnaire, psychological conditions, and work impairment, at baseline and 8 and 14 months within intervention. Data were stored in REDCap platform and analyzed by adjusted Bayesian models of double Poisson regression. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Mean number of attacks/month significantly decreased (95% credible interval [CrI] excluding 0) from 1.15 preintervention to 0.25 and 0.23, 8 and 14 months within intervention, with mean decreases of −0.89 (95% CrI: −1.21 to −0.58) and −0.92 (95% CrI: −1.22 to −0.60), respectively. HAE-QoL scores showed mean total increases of 15.2 (95% CrI: 1.23–29.77) and 26 (95% CrI: 14.56–39.02) at 8 and 14 months within the study, as compared to baseline, revealing marked improvement in quality of life. Significant increase in role-emotional and reduction of depression, stress, and anxiety were observed at 14 months. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> A systematic approach integrating HAE-specific care with effective handling of psychological issues decreased the number of attacks and improved quality of life, targets for best practice in HAE.