The analysis of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with hereditary angioedema type I and type II.

Due to the similarity between the pathomechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infections and hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE), a possibility emerged that C1-INH-HAE may worsen the course of the infection, or that the infection may influence the severity of angioedema (HAE) attacks in C1-INH-HAE patients. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life (QoL) of Hungarian C1-INH-HAE patients, and to survey the acute course of the infection, post COVID symptoms (PCS), vaccination coverage and the side effects of vaccines in this patient population. 93 patients completed our questionnaire between 1st July 2021 and 31st October 2021. In this same period and between March 2019 and March 2020, 63 patients completed the angioedema quality of life questionnaire (AE-QoL). Out of those patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the examined period (18/93 patients; 19%), 5% required hospitalization, 28% experienced HAE attacks in the acute phase of the infection, and 44% experienced PCS. A total number of 142 doses of vaccines were administered to the patients. Serious vaccine reactions did not occur in any case, 4 (5%) out of the 73 vaccinated patients experienced HAE attacks. No significant difference (p = 0.59) was found in the median of the AE-QoL total score, or in the number of HAE attacks prior and during the pandemic. Based on our study, HAE patients did not experience more serious SARS-CoV-2 infection, and it did not aggravate the course of HAE either. Changes in the QoL were not significant, and vaccines were safe in HAE patients.

Patient satisfaction and experience with intravenously administered C1-inhibitor concentrates in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder with substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite expanded choices for effective acute treatment, prophylactic options are more limited. Intravenous C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH[IV]) is licensed and used to prevent HAE symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To better understand patient experiences with using C1-INH(IV), including level of satisfaction and types and frequency of complications. METHODS: Fifty adult members (≥18 years of age) of the US HAE Association who had HAE type I or II completed a self-administered internet survey. Eligible participants were experiencing at least 1 HAE attack per month and must have been receiving treatment with C1-INH(IV) as prophylaxis or acute therapy. RESULTS: Almost all respondents (n = 47; 94%) were using C1-INH(IV) for HAE prophylaxis. Most patients reported administration of C1-INH(IV) through a peripheral vein (n = 34) and 19 were currently (n = 17) or previously (n = 2) using a central venous port. Most respondents (62%) who used a peripheral vein to administer treatment reported having difficulty finding a usable vein or getting the infusion to work properly at least some of the time. Issues accessing veins, exhausted veins, and frequency of attacks were the main reasons physicians recommended ports to respondents. Although ports allow easier administration of therapy, 47% of respondents with ports experienced problems such as occlusion, thrombosis, and infection. Respondents using C1-INH prophylaxis reported a mean of 2.3 attacks per month during the previous 6 months. CONCLUSION: The survey results identified clinical challenges with IV HAE medication use, including venous access issues and ongoing monthly attack occurrence despite prophylactic C1-INH(IV) administration.

Bacteriuria increases the risk of edematous attacks in hereditary angioedema with C1-inhibitor deficiency.

Urinary tract infections are considered among the most common infectious disorders in humans. Various infections may have a role in inducing HAE attacks. Our study intended to evaluate bacteriuria in the urinalysis of patients with C1-INH-HAE. Urine specimens contributed by 139 patients with C1-INH-HAE at the annual control visits were studied retrospectively for microorganisms. We analyzed the presence of bacteriuria in relation to the clinical symptoms. Taking into account three randomly selected urine specimens, we found that the cumulative number of edematous attacks was higher in patients with bacteriuria than in those without (P = 0.019, P = 0.022, P = 0.014). Considering the same patients, attack number was significantly higher (14.51 vs 8.63) in patients with bacteriuria than in those without (P < 0.0001). In patients with bacteriuria, we found a higher incidence of edema formation during the year before evaluation, which may suggest the triggering role of bacteriuria in the occurrence of edematous episodes.

Angioedema hereditario en Medellín, Colombia: evaluación clínica y de la calidad de vida / Hereditary angioedema in Medellín (Colombia): Clinical evaluation and quality of life appraisal

Introducción. El angioedema hereditario es una inmunodeficiencia primaria de carácter autosómico dominante, debida a un déficit en la proteína inhibidora del factor C1 y caracterizada por episodios recurrentes de edema subcutáneo y de las mucosas. Las impredecibles y frecuentes crisis de angioedema afectan la calidad de vida de los individuos que las padecen. Objetivo. Analizar las características clínicas de una familia con un caso índice de angioedema hereditario y determinar el impacto de la enfermedad en la calidad de vida. Materiales y métodos. En el estudio se incluyeron 26 miembros de la familia, a 25 de los cuales se les midieron los niveles sanguíneos del factor C4 del complemento y del inhibidor de C1 antigénico y funcional. Se utilizaron dos instrumentos, el SF-36 para evaluar la salud del adulto y el KIDSCREEN-27 para la calidad de vida de niños y adolescentes. Resultados. El 83 % de los individuos que reportaron síntomas cumplían con los criterios serológicos del angioedema hereditario de tipo I: valores bajos del factor C4 del complemento y del inhibidor de C1 cuantitativo (antigénico) y cualitativo (funcional). Se encontró que la calidad de vida en cuanto al bienestar psicológico y el desempeño emocional de los pacientes, se veía considerablemente afectada por los síntomas de la enfermedad. Conclusión. Este estudio provee información sobre la primera familia caracterizada con angioedema hereditario de tipo 1 en el Valle de Aburrá, Colombia. Aunque para ello se usó un instrumento genérico, se confirmó, además, el efecto negativo de la enfermedad en la calidad de vida de los individuos que la padecen.

Introduction: Hereditary angioedema is an autosomal dominant primary immunodeficiency caused by a deficiency of the C1 inhibitor protein and characterized by recurrent episodes of subcutaneous and mucosal edema. Unpredictable and frequent crisis of angioedema affect the quality of life of individuals suffering this kind of disorder. Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of a family with an index case of hereditary angioedema and to determine the impact of this disease on their quality of life. Materials and methods: Twenty six members of the family were included in the trial; 25 of them were analyzed for C4 complement and antigenic and functional C1 inhibitor blood levels. Two instruments (SF-365 and KIDSCREEN-27) were used to evaluate adult health quality and children and teenagers quality of life, respectively. Results: Eighty three percent (83%) of individuals reporting symptoms of the condition exhibited serological criteria of hereditary angioedema type I: low levels of both C4 complement and quantitative (antigenic) and qualitative (functional) C1 inhibitor. In relation to patients' psychological and emotional performance, their quality of life was significantly affected by the symptoms of hereditary angioedema. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of the first family in Valle de Aburrá (Colombia) characterized as having hereditary angioedema type I. Despite the use of a generic instrument, the negative impact on the quality of life of individuals suffering this disease was also confirmed.

[Hereditary angioedema in Medellín (Colombia): Clinical evaluation and quality of life appraisal]. / Angioedema hereditario en Medellín, Colombia: evaluación clínica y de la calidad de vida.

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary angioedema is an autosomal dominant primary immunodeficiency caused by a deficiency of the C1 inhibitor protein and characterized by recurrent episodes of subcutaneous and mucosal edema. Unpredictable and frequent crisis of angioedema affect the quality of life of individuals suffering this kind of disorder. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of a family with an index case of hereditary angioedema and to determine the impact of this disease on their quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty six members of the family were included in the trial; 25 of them were analyzed for C4 complement and antigenic and functional C1 inhibitor blood levels. Two instruments (SF-365 and KIDSCREEN-27) were used to evaluate adult health quality and children and teenagers quality of life, respectively. RESULTS: Eighty three percent (83%) of individuals reporting symptoms of the condition exhibited serological criteria of hereditary angioedema type I: low levels of both C4 complement and quantitative (antigenic) and qualitative (functional) C1 inhibitor. In relation to patients' psychological and emotional performance, their quality of life was significantly affected by the symptoms of hereditary angioedema. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of the first family in Valle de Aburrá (Colombia) characterized as having hereditary angioedema type I. Despite the use of a generic instrument, the negative impact on the quality of life of individuals suffering this disease was also confirmed.

Hereditary angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency: clinical presentation and quality of life of 193 French patients.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease. New specific treatments are available. OBJECTIVE: To identify patients' features and patients' best therapeutic option. METHODS: A 1-year, multicenter, retrospective study was performed. The primary objective was to examine the clinical presentation of HAE. Secondary objectives included patient characteristics, management of HAE over 12 months, and health-related quality of life using the SF-36v2 questionnaire. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-three patients were included, and 69.4% were women. In the 12-month period, the mean number of HAE attacks was 7.6. Among the 568 reported attacks, localizations were the abdomen (57.1%), peripheral limbs (42.5%), upper airway (7.9%), and face (6.9%); 31.6% of attacks were severe and occurred statistically more often in women (P < .02). Compared with a population of allergic patients, all age- and sex-adjusted scores were significantly lower in patients with HAE (P < .05) except for the physical component summary. Health-related quality of life negatively correlated with the annual number of attacks and was markedly altered for patients having more than 5 attacks per year (P < .05 for all dimensions). CONCLUSION: HAE is a severe disease that places a heavy burden on quality of life.

In pursuit of excellence: an integrated care pathway for C1 inhibitor deficiency.

There are estimated to be approximately 1500 people in the United Kingdom with C1 inhibitor (C1INH) deficiency. At BartsHealth National Health Service (NHS) Trust we manage 133 patients with this condition and we believe that this represents one of the largest cohorts in the United Kingdom. C1INH deficiency may be hereditary or acquired. It is characterized by unpredictable episodic swellings, which may affect any part of the body, but are potentially fatal if they involve the larynx and cause significant morbidity if they involve the viscera. The last few years have seen a revolution in the treatment options that are available for C1 inhibitor deficiency. However, this occurs at a time when there are increased spending restraints in the NHS and the commissioning structure is being overhauled. Integrated care pathways (ICP) are a tool for disseminating best practice, for facilitating clinical audit, enabling multi-disciplinary working and for reducing health-care costs. Here we present an ICP for managing C1 inhibitor deficiency.