ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases are associated with a range of functional and psychosocial consequences that can adversely affect patients' quality of life (QoL). Haemochromatosis (HC) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by chronic iron overload that can ultimately lead to multiple organ dysfunction. Clinical diagnosis remains challenging due to the nonspecificity of symptoms and a lack of confirmatory genotyping in a substantial proportion of patients. Illness perception among HC patients has not been extensively investigated, lacking relevant information on how to improve their QoL. METHODS: We present the results of the first worldwide survey conducted in nearly 1500 HC respondents, in which we collected essential demographic information and identified the aspects that concern HC patients the most. RESULTS: Out of all the participants, 45.3% (n = 676) voiced their concern about physical and psychological consequences such as HC-related arthropathies, which can ultimately affect their social functioning. A similar proportion of patients (n = 635, 42.5%) also consider that better-informed doctors are key for improved HC disease management. Taking a patient-centred approach, we expose differences in patients' disease perspective by social and economic influences. CONCLUSIONS: We identify potential targets to improve patients' health-related QoL and reflect on strategic measures to foster gender equity in access to health resources. Finally, we make a call for a highly coordinated effort across a range of public policy areas to empower participants in the HC research process and design. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Nearly 1500 patients with hereditary HC responded to an anonymized online survey in which research and clinical priorities were addressed regarding this chronic and rare disease.
Subject(s)
Hemochromatosis , Quality of Life , Humans , Quality of Life/psychology , Hemochromatosis/genetics , Hemochromatosis/therapy , Surveys and Questionnaires , ResearchABSTRACT
Although guidelines are available for hereditary hemochromatosis, a high percentage of the recommendations within them are not shared between the different guidelines. Our main aim is to provide an objective, simple, brief, and practical set of recommendations about therapeutic aspects of HFE hemochromatosis for p.Cys282Tyr (C282Y/C282Y) homozygous genotype, based on the published scientific studies and guidelines, in a form that is reasonably comprehensible to patients and people without medical training. This final version was approved at the Hemochromatosis International meeting on 12th May 2017 in Los Angeles.
Subject(s)
Hemochromatosis , Female , Humans , Male , Chelation Therapy/methods , Diet , Hemochromatosis/genetics , Hemochromatosis/therapy , Hemochromatosis Protein/genetics , Homozygote , Phlebotomy/methodsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) patients' perspectives on genetic information, namely the types of sources used, preferred or trusted. METHODS: A survey online was conducted by the European Federation of Associations of Patients with Haemochromatosis (EFAPH) and applied to members of nine National Associations. RESULTS: From a total of 1019 validated questionnaires, 895 respondents had performed a genetic testing for HH. From these, 627 self-declared that they were sufficiently informed about the implications of the genetic test to their health. The majority (66%) obtained the information from a specialist doctor, but would like to obtain it from the family doctor. However, the specialist was still the one they trusted more (69%). Regarding the 298 respondents who did not feel sufficiently informed, the majority (78%) also would like to have information from the family doctor although they also trusted the specialist more (75%). A different perspective was reported when patients were asked about the implications of the genetic testing to their family members, where the majority of respondents preferred obtaining information from a specialist (69%). CONCLUSION: This study elucidates the patients' needs for information and identifies the general practitioner (GP) as the preferred source to obtain information about HH. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These results may have important implications in future strategies for HH awareness, giving a special emphasis on GPs as the main players.
