Abstract
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder that causes unpredictable, recurrent episodes of cutaneous or submucosal oedema, affecting mainly the skin, abdomen, or upper respiratory tract.
People with HAE often present with their first attack in their early teenage years, but episodes can occur in patients as young as 5 years old. For adolescents and young people, HAE can have a significant impact on quality of life (QoL), affecting social interactions, educational attainment, physical activity, and emotional wellbeing.
Despite the recent development of effective, specific, and well-tolerated medications, which are recommended by international guidelines for treatment and management of the condition, many patients with HAE fail to gain access to specialist care and an appropriate treatment plan that could reduce the number of HAE attacks, and improve their QoL.
EMJ interviewed Consultant Immunologist Matthew Buckland, who oversees children’s and families’ HAE clinics at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK, to find out what more can be done to support people with HAE. Buckland discussed their experience of managing young patients with HAE and, based on their own practice and experience, outlined how to ensure patients have treatment management plans in place to achieve a good QoL.