The Story of Angioedema: from Quincke to Bradykinin

Definition, acronyms, nomenclature, and classification of angioedema (DANCE): AAAAI, ACAAI, ACARE, and APAAACI DANCE consensus

BACKGROUND

Angioedema (AE) manifests with intermittent, localized, self-limiting swelling of the subcutaneous and/or submucosal tissue. AE is heterogeneous, can be hereditary or acquired, may occur only once or be recurrent, may exhibit wheals or not, and may be due to mast cell mediators, bradykinin, or other mechanisms. Several different taxonomic systems are currently used, making it difficult to compare the results of studies, develop multicenter collaboration, and harmonize AE treatment.

OBJECTIVE

We developed a consensus on the definition, acronyms, nomenclature, and classification of AE (DANCE).

METHODS

The initiative involved 91 experts from 35 countries and was endorsed by 53 scientific and medical societies, and patient organizations. A consensus was reached by online discussion and voting using the Delphi process over a period of 16 months (June 2021 to November 2022).

RESULTS

The DANCE initiative resulted in an international consensus on the definition, classification, and terminology of AE. The new consensus classification features 5 types and endotypes of AE and a harmonized vocabulary of abbreviations/acronyms.

CONCLUSION

The DANCE classification complements current clinical guidelines and expert consensus recommendations on the diagnostic assessment and treatment of AE. DANCE does not replace current clinical guidelines, and expert consensus algorithms and should not be misconstrued in a way that affects reimbursement of medicines prescribed by physicians using sound clinical judgment. We anticipate that this new AE taxonomy and nomenclature will harmonize and facilitate AE research and clinical studies, thereby improving patient care.

Recurrence of unilateral angioedema of the tongue: A case report

BACKGROUND

Angioedema is a disorder characterized by edema of the face, lips, tongue, and extremities due to increased vascular permeability. Angioedema of the tongue usually occurs bilaterally, and the incidence of unilateral angioedema of the tongue is rare. This study reports a rare case of unilateral angioedema of the tongue with no identifiable cause and repeated recurrence even after discontinuation of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.

CASE SUMMARY

The patient was a 65-year-old woman with pre-existing hypertension and hyperlipidemia and had been receiving 20 mg/d of lisinopril. She was diagnosed with angioedema due to unilateral swelling of the tongue. No airway obstruction was observed, and the symptoms improved following the administration of 0.3 mg of epinephrine intramuscularly and 125 mg of methylprednisolone intravenously. Although lisinopril was discontinued, unilateral angioedema of the tongue continued to recur every 2-5 mo, with the symptoms improving following the administration of prednisolone and an antihistamine. Daily oral administration of 500 mg of tranexamic acid after dinner prevented the recurrence of angioedema.

CONCLUSION

Careful monitoring and identification of the underlying mechanism play a crucial role in the treatment of angioedema.

The impact of puberty on the onset, frequency, location, and severity of attacks in hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency: A survey from the Italian Network for Hereditary and Acquired Angioedema (ITACA)

Introduction

Hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency is influenced by hormonal factors, with a more severe course of disease in women. Our study aims to deepen the impact of puberty on onset, frequency, location and severity of attacks.

Methods

Retrospective data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and shared by 10 Italian reference centers of the Italian Network for Hereditary and Acquired Angioedema (ITACA).

Results

The proportion of symptomatic patients increased significantly after puberty (98.2% vs 83.9%, p=0.002 in males; 96.3% vs 68,4%, p<0.001 in females); the monthly mean of acute attacks was significantly higher after puberty, and this occurred both in females (median (IQR) = 0.41(2) in the three years before puberty vs 2(2.17) in the three years after, p<0.001) and in males (1(1.92) vs 1.25(1.56) respectively, p<0.001). The increase was greater in females. No significant differences were detected in attack location before and after puberty.

Discussion

Overall, our study confirms previous reports on a more severe phenotype in the female gender. Puberty predisposes to increased numbers of angioedema attacks, in particular in female patients.

Systemic lupus erythematosus with various clinical manifestations in a patient with hereditary angioedema: a case report

Background

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an inherited disease characterized by recurrent angioedema without urticaria or pruritus. The most common types of HAE are caused by deficiency or dysfunction in C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH-HAE). The association between C1-INH-HAE and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is known; however, variations in the underlying pathophysiology, disease course, and treatment in this population remain incompletely understood.

Case presentation

A 31-year-old Japanese woman with a prior diagnosis of HAE type 1 based on the episodes of recurrent angioedema, low C1 inhibitor antigen levels and function, and family history presented with new complaints of malar rash, alopecia, and arthralgias in her hands and elbows. She later developed fever, oral ulcers, lupus retinopathy, a discoid rash localized to her chest, and malar rash. Investigations revealed positive antinuclear antibody, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypocomplementemia, and nephritis. Based on these findings, she was diagnosed with SLE according to the 2019 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology classification criteria. There did not appear to be a correlation between HAE disease activity and the timing of presentation with SLE, because HAE disease activity had been stable. The patient was able to achieve and maintain remission with immunosuppressive therapy including prednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, and tacrolimus.

Conclusions

Our patient presented with a variety of symptoms, including fever and cytopenia in addition to mucocutaneous, joint, ocular, and renal lesions. It is important to better characterize the clinical characteristics of SLE in patients with C1-INH-HAE, and to clarify the mechanisms of SLE in this population.

Isolated Angioedema: A Review of Classification and Update on Management

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to review the various types of angioedema including diagnosis and treatment.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed search of articles in the English language various types of angioedema STUDY SELECTION: Articles on the subject matter were selected and reviewed.

RESULTS

Herein, a case based approach is presented for discussing the major types of angioedema including: hereditary angioedema (HAE) TypesI/II and normal complement, acquired angioedema, Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) induced angioedema, as well as histaminergic and non-histaminergic angioedema. Emerging treatments of HAE including targets of pre-kalikrein, DNA vector technology replacing C1INH protein, and CRIPSR technology targeting PKK among many others are explored. In addition, other causes as well as mimickers of angioedema are briefly reviewed. Finally, a novel algorithm is proposed to help guide the treating physician through the work up and management of patients with suspected idiopathic angioedema unresponsive to conventional therapy with antihistamines.

CONCLUSION

Over the years, many strides have been made in both understanding the pathophysiology of various types of angioedema as well as expansion of treatment options. It is important for clinicians to be aware of current and emerging treatment options. We provide a novel practical algorithm to guide clinicians in challenging cases of idiopathic angioedema refractory to antihistamines.

Identification of novel biomarkers to distinguish bradykinin-mediated angioedema from mast cell-/histamine-mediated angioedema

BACKGROUND

The pathophysiology of the underlying paroxysmal permeability disturbances in angioedema (AE) is not well understood.

METHODS

To identify clinical and laboratory parameters specific for a certain AE subtype, 40 AE patients were prospectively enrolled: 15 hereditary (HAE), 13 ACE-inhibitor induced (ACE-AE), and 12 mast cell-mediated without wheals in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU-AE). Ten healthy subjects served as controls. Serum levels of markers indicating activation of the ficolin-lectin pathway, of endothelial cells, or those indicating impairment of vascular integrity or inflammation were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

New routine clinical diagnostic criteria could not be identified, not even for distinguishing bradykinin-mediated (BK-) AE (ie, HAE and ACE-AE) from mast cell-/histamine-mediated CSU-AE. However, FAP-α and tPA were significantly increased in all AE compared to controls. In HAE, FAP- α, tPA, uPAR, pentraxin-3, Tie-2, sE-selectin, and VE-cadherin were significantly increased compared to controls. In HAE compared to CSU-AE and ACE-AE, sE-Selectin, Tie-2, and VE-Cadherin were significantly increased, whereas for Ang-2 the difference was significant compared to CSU-AE only. Tie-2 correlated strongly negatively with C4, C1-INH activity, and C1-INH function.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to compare HAE, ACE-AE, and CSU-AE. Although significance is limited by small sample size, Tie-2 was identified as a new promising biomarker candidate for HAE. FAP- α and tPA might serve as a marker for AE in general, whereas sE-selectin and Ang-2 were increased in BK-AE only. Our results add information to the role of endothelial dysfunction and serine proteases in different AE subtypes.

Case Report: Non-episodic Angioedema With Eosinophilia in a Young Lactating Woman

Angioedema with eosinophilia is classified into two types: episodic angioedema with eosinophilia (EAE), known as Gleich’s syndrome, and non-episodic angioedema with eosinophilia (NEAE). We present the case of a young lactating woman with non-episodic angioedema. She had no history of parasitic or nonparasitic infections. Physical examination showed striking, non-pitting edema in both lower extremities. Her weight had not changed significantly throughout the course of the illness. She exhibited no other symptoms, and her vital signs were normal. There was no evidence of anemia, hypoalbuminemia, thyroid dysfunction, heart failure, renal failure, or postpartum cardiomyopathy. Based on these findings, we diagnosed her with angioedema with eosinophilia. Given the scarcity of information about this condition, we explored the dynamics between cytokines/chemokines and edema in this patient. We successfully quantified the edema by bioimpedance analysis. In addition, we revealed the involvement of interleukin-5 (IL-5), thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine/C-C motif chemokine ligand-17 (TARC/CCL-17), eotaxin-3/CCL-26, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), monocyte chemotactic protein-4/CCL-13 (MCP-4/CCL-13), eotaxin-1/CCL-11, and regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted/CCL-5 (RANTES/CCL-5) in NEAE. Lastly, we elucidated the strong association between these parameters. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such study of its kind.

Recognition, Evaluation, and Management of Pediatric Hereditary Angioedema

ABSTRACT

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare, often underrecognized genetic disorder caused by either a C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency (type 1) or mutation (type 2). This leads to overproduction of bradykinin resulting in vasodilation, vascular leakage, and transient nonpitting angioedema occurring most frequently in the face, neck, upper airway, abdomen, and/or extremities. Involvement of the tongue and laryngopharynx has been associated with asphyxiation and death. Hereditary angioedema is an autosomal-dominant condition; therefore, there is a 50% chance an offspring will inherit this disorder. Any patient presenting with isolated angioedema should be screened with a C4 measurement, as 25% of cases have no family history of HAE. All patients with HAE will have a functional deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor. Contributors that delay the diagnosis of HAE include recognition delay by clinicians who confuse this condition with histaminergic angioedema, the disease's varied presentations, and limitations to timely testing. Pediatric emergency clinicians should be knowledgeable about how to distinguish between bradykinin- and histamine-mediated angioedema, as there are significant differences in the diagnostic testing, treatment, and clinical response between these 2 different conditions. Evidence indicates that early diagnosis and treatment of HAE reduces morbidity and mortality. Clinician recognition of the mechanistically different problems will ensure patients are appropriately referred to an expert for outpatient management.

New Instrument for the Evaluation of Prodromes and Attacks of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE-EPA)

A disease-specific, patient-reported outcome instrument suitable for evaluation of prodromes and attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a clinical unmet need. We constructed such instrument and examined its validity, acceptability, and discriminative ability. Sixty-six patients participated in a survey addressing their demographics, social, and medical status. Discriminant content validity involved: (1) construct definition by in-depth cognitive debriefing interviews, (2) item selection identifying relevant categories, and (3) judgment of the format whereby questionnaires were tested on experienced patients and its content/reliability was validated. Prodromes and attacks affecting certain body systems (domains) were organized in "clusters". Internal consistency, content, and convergent validities were analyzed. Analyses of variance and regression models were used to evaluate the discriminative ability of the instrument to differentiate between attacks and prodromes. The study demonstrates very high internal consistency (Cronbach's α: attacks 0.88-0.98, prodromes 0.78-0.98). Analysis of variance confirmed significant differences between all dimensions and in pre-defined clusters (F (4, 61) = 45.74, p < 0.001, Eta² = 0.77). Significant correlations were found between dimensions of prodromes and attacks. Prodromes are associated but differentiated from attacks. Correlations in severity were high for all domains. Interactions were found between prodromes and patients' experience in illness. In conclusion, the new Prodrome-Attack Evaluation questionnaire (HAE-EPA) is capable of distinguishing attacks and prodromes of HAE, as well as determining associations between the two interrelated phenomena. The new instrument achieves the required discriminative ability, acceptability, and content validity/reliability and therefore can be used as a reliable tool for the investigation of prodromes, attacks, and their relationships.

The Enigma of Prodromes in Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)

A prodrome is a premonitory set of signs and symptoms indicating the onset of a disease. Prodromes are frequently reported by hereditary angioedema (HAE) patients, antedating attacks by a few hours or even longer. In some studies, high incidence of prodromes was reported by patients, with considerable number being able to predict oncoming attacks. Regrettably, prodromes have never received a consensual definition and have not been properly investigated in a systematic fashion. Therefore, their nature remains elusive and their contribution to the diagnosis and treatment of disorders is uncertain. The term "prodrome," as used in various pathologies, denotes different meanings, timing, and duration, so it may not be equally suitable for all clinical situations. Perception of a prodrome is unique for each individual patient depending on self-experience. As modern drugs delegate the administration decision to the patients, early detection of a developing attack may help mitigate its severity and allow deployment of appropriate therapy. New diagnostic instruments were recently developed that can assist in defining the attributes of prodromes and their association with attacks. We will review the prodrome phenomenon as exhibited in certain clinical situations, with an emphasis on prodromes of HAE.

Recurrent angioedema: Experience at a tertiary care urban medical center

OBJECTIVE

To determine the demographics, presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with recurrent angioedema. To compare the findings to patients with ACE inhibitor related angioedema.

METHODS

Retrospective case series with chart review of patients who presented to a tertiary-care hospital between January 2010 and December 2017 with two or more episodes of angioedema. Excluded were patients with anaphylactic reaction, medication induced angioedema, or angioedema secondary to an infectious etiology. A group of 88 patients who presented during the same time period with ACE inhibitor related angioedema was used as a control. Statistical analysis was conducted using a two-tailed Fisher exact test and a multivariate logistical regression model to determine significant associations.

RESULTS

Ninety-one patients were identified; 61 met the selection criteria and had 217 total episodes of angioedema episodes presenting to the emergency department. Fifty percent were Caucasian or Hispanic. The average number of episodes was 3.5 (range: 2-23). The lips and tongue were the most commonly affected sites (37% and 39%). The larynx and floor of mouth were least likely to be involved (7% and 6%). Only 1 patient was found to have C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency. Twenty-eight percent of patients had asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, or atopic dermatitis. Only 11% of episodes required airway intervention. No patients required airway intervention after admission.

CONCLUSION

Recurrent angioedema was primarily idiopathic, was less severe than ACE inhibitor angioedema, and was associated with an atopic history. There was less frequent worsening of symptoms after admission, and recurrences occurred more frequently are at the same anatomic subsite.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

The central role of endothelium in hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency

An impairment of the endothelial barrier function underlies a wide spectrum of pathological conditions. Hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) can be considered the "pathophysiological and clinical paradigm" of Paroxysmal Permeability Diseases (PPDs), conditions characterized by recurrent transient primitively functional alteration of the endothelial sieving properties, not due to inflammatory-ischemic-degenerative injury and completely reversible after the acute flare. It is a rare yet probably still underdiagnosed disease which presents with localized, non-pitting swelling of the skin and submucosal tissues of the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, without significant wheals or pruritus. The present review addresses the pathophysiology of C1-INH-HAE with a focus on the crucial role of the endothelium during contact and kallikrein/kinin system (CAS and KKS) activation, currently available and emerging biomarkers, methods applied to get new insights into the mechanisms underlying the disease (2D, 3D and in vivo systems), new promising investigation techniques (autonomic nervous system analysis, capillaroscopy, flow-mediated dilation method, non-invasive finger plethysmography). Hints are given to the binding of C1-INH to endothelial cells. Finally, crucial issues as the local vs systemic nature of CAS/KKS activation, the episodic nature of attacks vs constant C1-INH deficiency, pros and cons as well as future perspectives of available methodologies are briefly discussed.

Pediatric angioedema: Essential features and preliminary results from the Hereditary Angioedema Global Registry in Italy

Isolated angioedema, which is a localized, non-pitting, and transient swelling of the subcutaneous or submucosal tissue not associated with pruritus, urticaria, or anaphylaxis, may be classified, based on genetic pattern and mediators, respectively, as acquired or hereditary and histamine- or non-histamine-induced. The pediatric population with C1-INH-HAE (Hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency) is mostly symptomatic. The frequency of symptoms in such a population compared to adults seems to be lower, but we need more prospective data to conclude on this point. The HGR (Hereditary angioedema global registry), which collects symptoms in real time, will probably provide such information. In terms of treatments, pediatric patients are significantly disadvantaged due to the few studies aimed at registering treatment for this population.

Hereditary Angioedema: Insights into inflammation and allergy

Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal recessive bradykinin (BK)-mediated disease characterized by local episodes of non-pitting swelling. Initially considered a complement-mediated disease, novel pathogenic mechanisms uncovered in the last decade have revealed new HAE-associated genes and tight physiological relationships among complement, contact, coagulation, fibrinolysis and inflammation. Uncontrolled production of BK due to inefficient regulation of the plasma contact system, increased activity of contact and coagulation factors or a deficient regulation of BK receptor-triggered intracellular signalling are on the basis of HAE pathology. In this new scenario, HAE can result from different mechanisms that may generate distinct clinical phenotypes of the disease. This review focuses in the recent advances and unsolved challenges in our comprehension of this ever increasingly complex pathology.

Air Pollution and Angioedema

OBJECTIVE

To identify environmental factors that may precipitate angioedema.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

SETTING

An urban tertiary care medical center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

After institutional review board approval was obtained, a chart review of all patients who presented to Temple University Hospital with angioedema from January 2012 to December 2014 was performed. Patient demographics and hospital course were gathered. Environmental data on the dates of presentation, including precipitation, humidity, and air pollution, were obtained from regional Environmental Protection Agency online data banks and used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 408 patients, representing 450 episodes of angioedema, met the inclusion criteria for the study. Most patients were female (58%), African American (74%), and on an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) upon presentation (61%). Days with unhealthy levels of air pollution were associated with an increased likelihood of angioedema presentation (odds ratio [OR], 1.82; confidence interval [CI], 1.01-3.30; P = .046). Subgroup analysis revealed that elevated ground-level ozone was the primary air pollutant significantly associated with angioedema presentations (OR, 4.95; CI 1.92-12.76; P = .0009). Higher ground-level ozone was also associated with ACE-I angioedema presentations (P = .017) but not with non-ACE-I angioedema presentations (P = .86). Air quality was not predictive of angioedema severity or need for intubation.

CONCLUSION

Angioedema is a complex, multifactorial disease resulting in potentially life-threatening complications. This is the first study to demonstrate that higher levels of air pollution, specifically ground-level ozone, are associated with significantly increased rates of angioedema episodes, although not severity.

The international WAO/EAACI guideline for the management of hereditary angioedema-The 2017 revision and update

Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) is a rare and disabling disease. Early diagnosis and appropriate therapy are essential. This update and revision of the global guideline for HAE provides up-to-date consensus recommendations for the management of HAE. In the development of this update and revision of the guideline, an international expert panel reviewed the existing evidence and developed 20 recommendations that were discussed, finalized and consented during the guideline consensus conference in June 2016 in Vienna. The final version of this update and revision of the guideline incorporates the contributions of a board of expert reviewers and the endorsing societies. The goal of this guideline update and revision is to provide clinicians and their patients with guidance that will assist them in making rational decisions in the management of HAE with deficient C1-inhibitor (type 1) and HAE with dysfunctional C1-inhibitor (type 2). The key clinical questions covered by these recommendations are: (1) How should HAE-1/2 be defined and classified?, (2) How should HAE-1/2 be diagnosed?, (3) Should HAE-1/2 patients receive prophylactic and/or on-demand treatment and what treatment options should be used?, (4) Should HAE-1/2 management be different for special HAE-1/2 patient groups such as pregnant/lactating women or children?, and (5) Should HAE-1/2 management incorporate self-administration of therapies and patient support measures?

The Plasma Kallikrein-Kininogen Pathway Is Critical in the Pathogenesis of Colitis in Mice

The kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) consists of two serine proteases, prekallikrein (pKal) and factor XII (FXII), and a cofactor, high-molecular-weight kininogen (HK). Upon activation of the KKS, HK is cleaved to release bradykinin. Although the KKS is activated in humans and animals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), its role in the pathogenesis of IBD has not been characterized. In the present study, we determined the role of the KKS in the pathogenesis of IBD using mice that lack proteins involved in the KKS. In two colitis models, induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), mice deficient in HK, pKal, or bradykinin receptors displayed attenuated phenotypes, including body weight loss, disease activity index, colon length shortening, histological scoring, and colonic production of cytokines. Infiltration of neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes in the colonic lamina propria was reduced in HK-deficient mice. Reconstitution of HK-deficient mice through intravenous injection of HK recovered their susceptibility to DSS-induced colitis, increased IL-1β levels in the colon tissue and bradykinin concentrations in plasma. In contrast to the phenotypes of other mice lacking other proteins involved in the KKS, mice lacking FXII had comparable colonic inflammation to that observed in wild-type mice. The concentration of bradykinin was significantly increased in the plasma of wild-type mice after DSS-induced colitis. In vitro analysis revealed that DSS-induced pKal activation, HK cleavage, and bradykinin plasma release were prevented by the absence of pKal or the inhibition of Kal. Unlike DSS, TNBS-induced colitis did not trigger HK cleavage. Collectively, our data strongly suggest that Kal, acting independently of FXII, contributes to experimental colitis by promoting bradykinin release from HK.

Mechanisms of macular edema: Beyond the surface

Macular edema consists of intra- or subretinal fluid accumulation in the macular region. It occurs during the course of numerous retinal disorders and can cause severe impairment of central vision. Major causes of macular edema include diabetes, branch and central retinal vein occlusion, choroidal neovascularization, posterior uveitis, postoperative inflammation and central serous chorioretinopathy. The healthy retina is maintained in a relatively dehydrated, transparent state compatible with optimal light transmission by multiple active and passive systems. Fluid accumulation results from an imbalance between processes governing fluid entry and exit, and is driven by Starling equation when inner or outer blood-retinal barriers are disrupted. The multiple and intricate mechanisms involved in retinal hydro-ionic homeostasis, their molecular and cellular basis, and how their deregulation lead to retinal edema, are addressed in this review. Analyzing the distribution of junction proteins and water channels in the human macula, several hypotheses are raised to explain why edema forms specifically in the macular region. "Pure" clinical phenotypes of macular edema, that result presumably from a single causative mechanism, are detailed. Finally, diabetic macular edema is investigated, as a complex multifactorial pathogenic example. This comprehensive review on the current understanding of macular edema and its mechanisms opens perspectives to identify new preventive and therapeutic strategies for this sight-threatening condition.

The Humanistic, Societal, and Pharmaco-economic Burden of Angioedema

Hereditary angioedema due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) is a rare disorder characterized by intermittent and unpredictable episodes of swelling which cause disfigurement, disability, pain, or, in case of laryngeal swelling, risk of death. Historical factors, including the intermittent nature of the disorder, the lack of awareness of this ultra-rare condition amongst medical personnel, lack of specialist centers, and limited treatment options have contributed to under-diagnosis and under-treatment of the condition. Incorrect treatment of attacks has been common, even when medical help is sought. This has lead to reduced health-seeking behavior and alternative coping strategies, sometimes even denial, in many families, while a minority of HAE-affected patients have become serial emergency room attenders with chronic pain and ongoing requirement for opiate-based painkillers. Both strategies have incurred not only physical but also psychological and economic consequences.In the last 10 years, new and effective acute therapies have been made available, some of which have also provided short-term and long-term prophylaxis options, together with a better understanding of older prophylactic drugs. Improved awareness of HAE amongst the general public, family members, and physicians has reduced the long delay in diagnosis and increased the number of patients receiving effective and up-to-date therapies to improve the physical impact of the disorder.Data on the impact of treatment on the psychological outcomes is scarce, but the limited information available suggests that access to specialist advice and treatment leads to psychological as well as physical improvement.HAE also has profound effects on individual and family economic output, directly via absenteeism from school or work and indirectly via lost opportunities. Economic improvements associated with better treatments are offset by the high cost of new acute treatments, resulting in difficult pharmaco-economic calculations. Worldwide, cost considerations present potentially insurmountable barriers to treatment for many patients, depending on the healthcare system in the individual country.

Hereditary Angioedema as a Metabolic Liver Disorder: Novel Therapeutic Options and Prospects for Cure

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations of the SERPING1 or the Factor 12 genes. It is potentially fatal, particularly if not identified at an early stage. Apart from androgens, which are contraindicated in children and in pregnant women, a range of effective, albeit very expensive treatments have recently become available for HAE patients. The cost of these new treatments is beyond the reach of most developing countries. At this time, there is no cure for the disorder. In spite of mutations of the SERPING1 gene, autoimmunity and infections are not prominent features of the condition. Here, we present the argument that HAE should be viewed primarily as a metabolic liver disorder. This conceptual paradigm shift will stimulate basic research and may facilitate new therapeutic approaches to HAE outlined in this paper. We suggest several novel potential treatment options for HAE from the perspectives of clinical immunology, molecular biology, and liver transplantation. Many of these offer the prospect of curing the disorder. The effectiveness of these options is rapidly improving in many cases, and their risks are decreasing. Given the very high costs of treating HAE, some of these curative options may become feasible in the next decade.