RESUMEN
WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?: Eosinophil-associated diseases (EADs) are a group of conditions in which eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) are thought to play a key role in the disease and how it develops. Some EADs are common, such as atopic dermatitis (also called eczema) and a subtype of asthma called eosinophilic asthma, while others are rare, such as hypereosinophilic syndrome (a condition in which a person has a very high number of eosinophils in both the blood and one or more organs). People with EADs face many problems related to their conditions. Symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, itch, or shortness of breath impact both the patient as well as their friends and family. Patients with EADs also experience delays to diagnosis and treatment as well as financial barriers. Healthcare professionals sometimes fail to recognize the complex set of symptoms that characterize an EAD, and this may cause delays in reaching a correct diagnosis. As a result, it may take longer for a patient to get the best care and the most effective treatments, which may contribute to poor health. The goal of this charter is to describe the key elements of good quality care, which all people with EADs deserve, as well as to present an action plan to improve health and overall well-being for people with EADs. Proposed use of this patient charter: The principles described in this charter (a written guide to achieve an outcome) show the core elements of quality care that people with EADs must receive. They also describe clear steps to reduce the burden on patients and their caregivers and to improve patient health outcomes. We urge healthcare professionals, hospitals, and policymakers around the world to adopt these principles quickly. By doing this, people with EADs will be more likely to receive an accurate and timely diagnosis and have access to quality care and treatment in the right setting.
RESUMEN
Eosinophil-associated diseases (EADs) are a range of heterogeneous conditions in which eosinophils are believed to play a critical pathological role. EADs include common illnesses such as eosinophilic asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis and rare conditions such as hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES) and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs). EADs are associated with substantial burdens for the patient, including chronic, debilitating symptoms, increased financial burden, decreased health-related quality of life, and the need for repeated visits to multiple different healthcare professionals (HCPs), emergency departments, and/or hospitals. Poor EAD recognition by HCPs often contributes to delayed diagnoses, which further delays patient access to appropriate care and effective treatments, contributing to poor health outcomes. The objective of this charter is to outline key patient rights and expectations with respect to the management of their condition(s) and to set forth an ambitious action plan to improve health outcomes for patients with EADs: (1) people with EADs, their caretakers, HCPs, and the public must have greater awareness and education about EADs; (2) people with EADs must receive a timely, accurate diagnosis; (3) all people with EADs must have access to an appropriate multidisciplinary team, when necessary; and (4) people with EADs must have access to safe and effective treatment options without unnecessary regulatory delays. The principles described in this charter demonstrate the core elements of quality care that people with EADs must receive, and they represent clear steps by which to reduce patient and caregiver burden and improve patient outcomes. We urge HCPs, healthcare systems, and policymakers worldwide to swiftly adopt these principles to ensure patients with EADs have an accurate diagnosis in a timely manner and access to high-level care and treatment in an appropriate setting.