Perceived Stigmatization among Dermatological Outpatients Compared with Controls: An Observational Multicentre Study in 17 European Countries

Perceived stigmatization places a large psychosocial burden on patients with some skin conditions. Little is known about the experience of stigmatization across a wide range of skin diseases. This observational cross-sectional study aimed to quantify perceived stigmatization and identify its predictors among patients with a broad spectrum of skin diseases across 17 European countries. Self-report questionnaires assessing perceived stigmatization and its potential predictors were completed by 5,487 dermatology outpatients and 2,808 skin-healthy controls. Dermatological diagnosis, severity, and comorbidity were clinician-assessed. Patients experienced higher levels of perceived stigmatization than controls (p < 0.001, d   = 0.26); patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia, and bullous disorders were particularly affected. Multivariate regression analyses showed that perceived stigmatization was related to sociodemographic (lower age, male sex, being single), general health-related (higher body mass index, lower overall health), disease-related (higher clinician-assessed disease severity, presence of itch, longer disease duration), and psychological (greater distress, presence of suicidal ideation, greater body dysmorphic concerns, lower appearance satisfaction) variables. To conclude, perceived stigmatization is common in patients with skin diseases. Factors have been identified that will help clinicians and policymakers to target vulnerable patient groups, offer adequate patient management, and to ultimately develop evidence-based interventions.

An investigational oral plasma kallikrein inhibitor for on-demand treatment of hereditary angioedema: a two-part, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

Guidelines recommend effective on-demand therapy for all individuals with hereditary angioedema. We aimed to assess the novel oral plasma kallikrein inhibitor, sebetralstat, which is in development, for on-demand treatment of hereditary angioedema attacks.

METHODS

In this two-part phase 2 trial, individuals with type 1 or 2 hereditary angioedema aged 18 years or older were recruited from 25 sites, consisting of specialty outpatient centres, across nine countries in Europe and the USA. Individuals were eligible if they had experienced at least three hereditary angioedema attacks in the past 93 days, were not on prophylactic therapy, and had access to and the ability to self-administer conventional attack treatment. In part 1 of the trial, participants were given a single 600 mg open-label oral dose of sebetralstat to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of the dose. Part 2 was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-sequence, two-period (2 × 2) crossover trial; participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to either sequence 1, in which they were given a single dose of 600 mg of sebetralstat to treat the first eligible attack and a second dose of placebo to treat the second eligible attack, or sequence 2, in which they were given placebo to treat the first eligible attack and then 600 mg of sebetralstat to treat the second eligible attack. Participants and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was time to use of conventional attack treatment within 12 h of study drug administration, which was assessed in all participants who were randomly assigned to treatment and who received study drug for two attacks during part 2 of the study. Safety was assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of study drug, starting in part 1. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04208412, and is completed.

FINDINGS

Between July 2, 2019, and Dec 8, 2020, 84 individuals were screened and 68 were enrolled in part 1 and received sebetralstat (mean age 38·3 years [SD 13·2], 37 [54%] were female, 31 [46%] were male, 68 [100%] were White). 42 (62%) of 68 participants completed pharmacokinetic assessments. Sebetralstat was rapidly absorbed, with a geometric mean plasma concentration of 501 ng/mL at 15 min. In a subset of participants (n=6), plasma samples obtained from 15 min to 4 h after study drug administration had near-complete protection from ex vivo stimulated generation of plasma kallikrein and cleavage of high-molecular-weight kininogen. In part 2, all 68 participants were randomly assigned to sequence 1 (n=34) or sequence 2 (n=34). 53 (78%) of 68 participants treated two attacks (25 [74%] in the sequence 1 group and 28 [82%] in the sequence 2 group). Time to use of conventional treatment within 12 h of study drug administration was significantly longer with sebetralstat versus placebo (at quartile 1: >12 h [95% CI 9·6 to >12] vs 8·0 h [3·8 to >12]; p=0·0010). There were no serious adverse events or adverse event-related discontinuations.

INTERPRETATION

Oral administration of sebetralstat was well tolerated and led to rapid suppression of plasma kallikrein activity, resulting in increased time to use of conventional attack treatment and faster symptom relief versus placebo. Based on these results, a phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two dose levels of sebetralstat in adolescent and adult participants with hereditary angioedema has been initiated (NCT05259917).

FUNDING

KalVista Pharmaceuticals.

Body dysmorphia in common skin diseases: Results of an observational, cross-sectional multi-centre study among dermatological out-patients in 17 European countries

BACKGROUND

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a common psychiatric disorder associated with high costs for healthcare systems as patients may repeatedly ask for different, often not effective interventions. BDD symptoms are more prevalent in patients with dermatological conditions than the general population, but there are no large sample studies comparing the prevalence of BDD symptoms between patients with dermatological conditions and healthy skin controls.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the prevalence of BDD symptoms between patients with different dermatological conditions and healthy skin controls and to describe sociodemographic, physical and psychological factors associated with BDD symptoms to identify patients who may have a particularly high chance of having this condition.

METHODS

This observational cross-sectional, comparative multi-centre study included 8295 participants: 5487 consecutive patients with different skin diseases (56% female) recruited among dermatological out-patients at 22 clinics in 17 European countries and 2808 healthy skin controls (66% female). All patients were examined by a dermatologist. BDD symptoms were assessed by the Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ). Sociodemographic data, information on psychological factors and physical conditions were collected. Each patient was given a dermatological diagnosis according to ICD-10 by a dermatologist.

RESULTS

The participation rate of invited dermatological patients was 82.4% on average across all centres. BDD symptoms were five times more prevalent in patients with dermatological conditions than in healthy skin controls (10.5% vs. 2.1%). Patients with hyperhidrosis, alopecia and vitiligo had a more than eleven-fold increased chance (adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) > 11) of having BDD symptoms compared to healthy skin controls, and patients with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, prurigo and bullous diseases had a more than six-fold increased chance (adjusted OR > 6) of having BDD symptoms. Using a logistic regression model, BDD symptoms were significantly related to lower age, female sex, higher psychological stress and feelings of stigmatisation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals that clinical BDD symptoms are significantly associated with common dermatological diseases. As such symptoms are associated with higher levels of psychological distress and multiple unhelpful consultations, general practitioners and dermatologists should consider BDD and refer patients when identified to an appropriate service for BDD screening and management.

Global perceptions of the current and future impacts of COVID-19 on hereditary angioedema management

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly affected health-care provision across the globe. Management of chronic ailments has become challenging because of the strained health-care resources and social distancing measures that prevent on-site clinical visits and treatments. Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a debilitating, chronic disease characterized by unpredictable swelling attacks in various parts of the body. Controlling HAE symptoms often requires long-term prophylactic medication use and regular medical care; however, limited scientific information has been published about HAE medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To gather patient and health-care professional (HCP) perspectives on the global impact that COVID-19 has had, and the future impact it will have on HAE medical care and to identify differences in perceptions across economic and geographic boundaries. Methods: We conducted two independent but similar online global surveys to capture patient and HCP perspectives on the impact that COVID-19 has had, and the future impact it will have on HAE medical care. Results: Both patients and HCPs globally reported that the pandemic has limited the availability of HAE medical care, and they expect the restrictions to continue far beyond the pandemic. In addition, the results of our study suggested that telehealth use has increased across the globe but has been more successfully implemented in high-income countries. Conclusion: Patients and HCPs expect that HAE-related care will be negatively impacted by the pandemic for many years. Disparities in medical care and technologic infrastructure may exacerbate these challenges in non-high-income countries. Supportive tools and global infrastructure should be established to provide aid to non-high-income countries throughout the pandemic and several years after.

Recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor for hereditary angioedema attacks: A European registry

Background

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) due to C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) is characterized by recurrent swelling attacks. A European treatment registry was established to review the adverse event profile and efficacy of recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor (rhC1-INH) for HAE attacks.

Methods

Individuals with C1-INH-HAE were enrolled following a decision to treat with rhC1-INH and provision of written informed consent. Medical history and baseline HAE information were collected at screening. Healthcare providers entered data on HAE attacks, response to treatment, and adverse events using a web-based questionnaire.

Results

From July 1, 2011, through December 1, 2019, 71 patients with C1-INH-HAE (30 male/41 female; mean age, 47.3 years; age range, 19–78 years) in 9 countries reported 2356 attacks and were treated with rhC1-INH. Before registry entry, patients, including 20 (28.2%) who were on maintenance therapy/prophylaxis at registry enrollment, experienced a mean of 25 HAE attacks per year (median, 16 [range, 0–185]). Most treated HAE attacks were abdominal (46.1%), followed by peripheral (38.3%), oro-facial-pharyngeal (14.8%), urogenital (3.2%), and laryngeal (2.6%). The mean rhC1-INH dose was 3307 U (43.3 U/kg). Patients reported symptom improvement within 4 h for 97.8% of attacks (2305/2356) with rhC1-INH; most attacks (99.8%; 2351/2356) required only 1 dose. Five attacks were treated with a second dose (total rhC1-INH dose administered for attack, 4200 U). No hypersensitivity, thrombotic/thromboembolic events, or drug-related serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

The rhC1-INH treatment registry provided real-world data on the treatment of 2356 HAE attacks that were consistent with clinical trial data of rhC1-INH in patients with C1-INH-HAE.

Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic and Dermatology. What to Expect?

The novel coronavirus (CoV), CoV disease (COVID)-19, and the ongoing pandemic, is changing every aspect of the human life. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has a profound impact on health-care worldwide, with no exception in dermatology care units. At the time of pandemic, constant fear and stress are present on the surface. Skin diseases are the most common somatic causes of psychological disorders and, conversely. During a stressful situation, the body has power to adjust and to maintain its well-being, but with prolonged exposure to stress, the first negative changes such as fear, anxiety, and depression will eventually lead to chronic fatigue and an increased risk of disease. The proportion of patients reporting emotional triggers varies with the disease, ranging from approximately 50% in acne to 90% in rosacea, alopecia areata, psoriasis, neurotic excoriations, and lichen simplex and may be 100% for patients with hyperhidrosis. In this paper, we will look at the most common psychodermatological disorders and its implication in the era of COVID-19 pandemic. According to all the pathophysiological conditions that indicate the association of skin diseases with stress, it is normal to expect their deterioration and occurrence in this pandemic period. We will be witnessing a growing number in patients’ consultations with chronic urticaria, dermographism, worsening rosacea, generalization, and relapses of psoriasis. It is needed to be prepared for as many cases as possible, because the psychological consequences will still be felt. We encourage more comprehensive studies of the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic in these patients.

Hereditary Angioedema Attack in Utero and Treatment of the Mother and Fetus

Hereditary angioedema (HAE), an inherited deficiency of functional C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), is characterized by unpredictable recurrent episodes of painful and often disabling swelling in subcutaneous and/or submucosal tissues. We report the case of a 23-year-old woman with type I HAE who had abdominal, facial, and peripheral attacks throughout her first pregnancy. A facial HAE attack occurred at week 38 of her pregnancy, and symptoms improved after self-administration of 50 U/kg of recombinant human C1-INH (total dose, 3500 U), but soon after she had an unusual abdominal sensation. Ultrasonography detected fetal lower lip swelling (∼3 times the normal size) and limb swelling. Physical examination of the mother found cervical dilatation, indicating the final stages of labor. Two hours after treatment of her HAE attack, she spontaneously delivered a healthy male infant. Photographs taken within 2 minutes of delivery revealed resolution of the infant’s facial edema, and the limb edema was resolved within 30 minutes. By 10 minutes postdelivery, the mother’s facial attack had almost completely resolved. Ten months after birth, genetic analysis confirmed that the infant had type I HAE. This is the first documented case of an HAE attack in utero. Treatment of the mother with recombinant human C1-INH was effective for the maternal and fetal attacks, with resolution within approximately 2 to 2.5 hours for both patients.

Recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor treatment for hereditary angioedema attacks in children

BACKGROUND

Attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) due to C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) usually begin during childhood or adolescence. However, limited data are available regarding indications and modalities of treatment of children. This study evaluated recombinant human C1-INH (rhC1-INH) for HAE attacks in children.

METHODS

This open-label, phase 2 study included children aged 2-13 years with C1-INH-HAE. Eligible HAE attacks were treated intravenously with rhC1-INH 50 IU/kg body weight (maximum, 4200 IU). The primary end-point was time to beginning of symptom relief (TOSR; ≥20 mm decrease from baseline in visual analog scale [VAS] score, persisting for two consecutive assessments); secondary end-point was time to minimal symptoms (TTMS; <20 mm VAS score for all anatomic locations).

RESULTS

Twenty children (aged 5-14 years; 73 HAE attacks) were treated with rhC1-INH. Seventy (95.9%) of the attacks were treated with a single dose of rhC1-INH. Seven (35.0%) children were treated for four or more attacks. Overall, median TOSR was 60.0 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI], 60.0-65.0); data were consistent across attacks. Median TTMS was 122.5 minutes (95% CI, 120.0-126.0); data were consistent across attacks. No children withdrew from the study due to adverse events. No treatment-related serious adverse events or hypersensitivity reactions were reported; no neutralizing antibodies were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Recombinant human C1-INH was efficacious, safe, and well tolerated in children. Data support use of the same dosing regimen for HAE attacks in children (50 IU/kg; up to 4200 IU, followed by an additional dose, if needed) as is currently recommended for adolescents and adults.

Oral Plasma Kallikrein Inhibitor for Prophylaxis in Hereditary Angioedema

BACKGROUND

Hereditary angioedema is a life-threatening illness caused by mutations in the gene encoding C1 inhibitor (also called C1 esterase inhibitor) that lead to overactivation of the kallikrein-bradykinin cascade. BCX7353 is a potent oral small-molecule inhibitor of plasma kallikrein with a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile that may help prevent angioedema attacks.

METHODS

In this international, three-part, dose-ranging, placebo-controlled trial, we evaluated four doses of BCX7353 (62.5 mg, 125 mg, 250 mg, and 350 mg once daily) for the prevention of angioedema attacks over a 28-day period. Patients with type I or II hereditary angioedema with a history of at least two angioedema attacks per month were randomly assigned to BCX7353 or placebo. The primary efficacy end point was the number of confirmed angioedema attacks. Key secondary end points included angioedema attacks according to anatomical location and quality of life.

RESULTS

A total of 77 patients underwent randomization, 75 received BCX7353 or placebo, and 72 completed the trial. The rate of confirmed angioedema attacks was significantly lower among patients who received BCX7353 at daily doses of 125 mg or more than among those who received placebo, with a 73.8% difference at 125 mg (P<0.001). Significant benefits with respect to quality-of-life scores were observed in the 125-mg and 250-mg dose groups (P<0.05). Gastrointestinal adverse events, predominantly of grade 1, were the most commonly reported adverse events, particularly in the two highest BCX7353 dose groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Once-daily oral administration of BCX7353 at a dose of 125 mg or more resulted in a significantly lower rate of attacks of hereditary angioedema than placebo. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms were the principal side effect. (Funded by BioCryst Pharmaceuticals; APeX-1 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02870972 .).

Recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor for prophylaxis of hereditary angio-oedema: a phase 2, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial

BACKGROUND

Hereditary angio-oedema is a recurrent, oedematous disorder caused by deficiency of functional C1 inhibitor. Infusions of plasma-derived C1 esterase inhibitor deter attacks of hereditary angio-oedema, but the prophylactic effect of recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor has not been rigorously studied. We aimed to assess the efficacy of recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor for prophylaxis of hereditary angio-oedema.

METHODS

We conducted this phase 2, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial at ten centres in Canada, the Czech Republic, Israel, Italy, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and the USA. We enrolled patients aged 13 years or older with functional C1-inhibitor concentrations of less than 50% of normal and a history of four or more attacks of hereditary angio-oedema per month for at least 3 months before study initiation. Patients were randomly assigned centrally (1:1:1:1:1:1), via an interactive response technology system with fixed allocation, to receive one of six treatment sequences. During each sequence, patients received intravenous recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor (50 IU/kg; maximum 4200 IU) twice weekly, recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor once weekly and placebo once weekly, and placebo twice weekly, each for 4 weeks with a 1 week washout period between crossover. All patients, investigators, and study personnel who participated in patient care were masked to group allocation during the study. The primary efficacy endpoint was the number of attacks of hereditary angio-oedema observed in each 4 week treatment period. Attack symptoms were recorded daily. The primary efficacy analysis was done in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one injection of study medication. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02247739.

FINDINGS

Between Dec 29, 2014, and May 3, 2016, we enrolled 35 patients, of whom 32 (91%) underwent randomisation (intention-to-treat population) and 26 (81%) completed the study. The mean number of attacks of hereditary angio-oedema over 4 weeks was significantly reduced with recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor twice weekly (2·7 attacks [SD 2·4]) and once weekly (4·4 attacks [3·2]) versus placebo (7·2 attacks [3·6]), with mean differences of -4·4 attacks (p<0·0001) and -2·8 attacks (p=0·0004), respectively. We recorded adverse events in ten (34%) of 29 patients given twice-weekly recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor, 13 (45%) of 29 patients given the once-weekly regimen, and eight (29%) of 28 patients given placebo. Headache (twice-weekly treatment) and nasopharyngitis (once-weekly treatment) were the most common adverse events. Two (7%) adverse events (fatigue and headache) were deemed possibly related to treatment with recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor, but both resolved without additional treatment. No thrombotic or thromboembolic events, systemic allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis), or neutralising antibodies were reported.

INTERPRETATION

Prophylaxis with recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor provided clinically relevant reductions in frequency of hereditary angio-oedema attacks and was well tolerated. In view of the pharmacokinetic profile of recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor, our results suggest that efficacy of C1-inhibitor replacement therapy might not be a direct function of plasma trough concentrations of C1 inhibitor.

FUNDING

Pharming Technologies.

Acute abdominal pain with a spontaneous resolution as a mark to the diagnosis of hereditary angioedema

Accurate and timely diagnostics of acute abdominal pain, a common emergency, is crucial in decreasing unnecessary surgical interventions. We present the case of a patient, Xh. M. aged 21, transported to emergency after being wakened from sleep by severe, acute abdominal pain. The pain was non-radiating, colic, and associated with flatulence, nausea and vomiting. The family history was negative regarding Angioedema, which decreases but does not exclude the possible appearance of hereditary Angioedema. All laboratory and imaging findings were normal, besides the low levels of C4 complement component were 4.56 mg/dl (normal values 10-40), functional C1-esterase INH was 10.29% (normal values 80-130) C1-estrease inhibitor (protein) 4.58 mg/dl (normal values 16-33), indicating HAE typ I. Regardless of negative medical history in the family of hereditary angioedema, de novo mutation most probably led to her being the first case in the family. The case we have presented confirms the need to include hereditary angioedema as a differential diagnostic possibility in patients with acute abdominal pain, even more so as timely and precise diagnostics enable avoidance of unnecessary surgical interventions.

Hereditary angioedema: Validation of the end point time to onset of relief by correlation with symptom intensity

Time to onset of symptom relief in hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a common primary end point in clinical studies but it has never been validated by correlation with the course of HAE symptoms. This study was designed as a retrospective validation of the primary end point for a placebo-controlled phase II/III study in patients with HAE. Ninety-eight abdominal attacks were treated with 10 or 20 U/kg of a highly purified C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) concentrate or placebo. The primary end point was the time to onset of symptom relief, as determined by the patients. Patients assessed the intensity of the symptoms of pain, nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea over time. By Spearman rank correlation, the primary end point was compared with the time to first reduction of (1) any symptom intensity, (2) the sum of symptom intensity scores, and (3) the intensity of the last symptom present at baseline. The C1-INH, 20 U/kg, and placebo groups were compared by one-sided two-sample Wilcoxon tests. The time to first reduction in intensity of the last symptom present at baseline had the highest correlation with the primary end point (r = 0.77). The time to onset of symptom relief and the time to the first reduction in intensity of the last symptom were significantly shorter for the C1-INH, 20 U/kg, group compared with placebo (p = 0.009 and p = 0.0036, respectively). The association with the intensity of single symptoms confirmed that the time to onset of symptom relief is an appropriate end point for assessing the efficacy of C1-INH therapy.

Population pharmacokinetics of plasma-derived C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate used to treat acute hereditary angioedema attacks

BACKGROUND

C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) replacement is recommended as a first-line therapy for acute edema attacks in hereditary angioedema (HAE). Only limited pharmacokinetic analyses of the administered C1-INH in plasma are available.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate retrospectively the population pharmacokinetics of a plasma-derived C1-INH (pC1-INH) concentrate used to treat acute HAE attacks in a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 study in patients with HAE.

METHODS

Acute abdominal and facial attacks were treated with either a pC1-INH concentrate (Berinert) at single intravenous doses of 10 or 20 U/kg body weight or placebo. Plasma sampling was conducted 0, 1, and 4 hours after dosing. A nonlinear retrospective population pharmacokinetic model was obtained using the assumption of a 1-compartment model.

RESULTS

The final population pharmacokinetic model was based on data from 97 patients treated with 10 or 20 U/kg of pC1-INH concentrate. The estimated mean half-life was 32.7 hours (90% confidence interval, 16.6-48.8 hours), and the estimated mean clearance was 0.92 mL/kg/h (90% confidence interval, 0.50-1.33 mL/kg/h).

CONCLUSIONS

The half-life of the same pC1-INH concentrate reported in a previous study was confirmed by this retrospective population pharmacokinetic analysis in patients treated for acute HAE attacks. In contrast to other treatment options with shorter half-lives, the long half-life of pC1-INH concentrate may provide an extended period of protection, even after the symptoms of an attack have subsided.