Management of hereditary angioedema attacks by patients on long-term prophylaxis versus on-demand therapy only

Background:

Despite the use of long-term prophylaxis (LTP) for hereditary angioedema (HAE), the risk of having an attack remains and patients with HAE and on LTP may still experience attacks that can be life threatening. However, the behavioral patterns and perspectives surrounding HAE attack management by patients on LTP are not fully understood.

Objective:

This survey aimed to better understand and compare the behavioral patterns and perspectives, including attitudes and perceptions associated with on-demand treatment among patients on LTP versus those using on-demand therapy only.

Methods:

People living with HAE were recruited by the US Hereditary Angioedema Association to complete a 20-minute online survey between September 6 and October 19, 2022. Participants were stratified by treatment (50% using LTP [+on-demand therapy], 50% on-demand therapy only).

Results:

Respondents included 107 patients with HAE (mean age, 41 years [range, 16‐83 years]). Patients using LTP reported treating a mean ± standard deviation 84.8% ± 23.8% of their HAE attacks compared with a mean ± standard deviation 75.6% ± 27.5% for patients with on-demand only treatment. Similar percentages of patients on LTP versus patients on-demand only reported always carrying on-demand treatment when away from home (35% versus 38%) and modifying their daily lives to minimize the occurrence of HAE attacks, which included avoiding potential triggers (42.9% versus 45.5%).

Conclusion:

Although patients on LTP treat a higher percentage of their attacks compared with patients with on-demand only treatment, both groups reported similar behaviors in terms of carrying on-demand treatment when away from home and modifying their daily lives to minimize the occurrence of HAE attacks. These findings highlight the importance of understanding patient perspectives and behaviors in the management of HAE.