title: Retrospective, observational data collection of the treatment of phenylketonuria in the UK, and associated clinical and health outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the percentage of phenylketonuria (PKU) subjects using current treatment strategies whose phenylalanine (Phe) concentrations diverge from the UK target guidelines for PKU.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective, observational, chart review was conducted between 2004 and 2008 at three specialist PKU treatment centres in the UK, and included 125 eligible subjects: 20 adults (18+ years, with ≥4 Phe concentrations measured per year) and 105 children (up to age 17, with ≥6 Phe concentrations measured per year).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean percentage of subjects with at least 70% of Phe concentrations within the target range for 0-5-year olds, 6-10 year olds and 11-17 year olds was similar across the period 2004-2008 (57.0%, 56.5% and 57.1%, respectively) and lower (39.4%) in the 18+ year age group. For all ages, across the period the mean was 54.4%. Further analysis of the adult population showed that some subjects were very good at complying with treatment and reporting Phe concentrations. Overall, the percentage of 100% compliance was 15.7% in females and 13.7% in males. The mean duration that subjects were 'out of range' of target Phe concentrations over the study period was approximately 1 year and 3 months and the mean duration for 'significantly out of range' values was approximately 9 months. The most common type of contact made with subjects was by telephone, with a mean number of 16 calls per subject per year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results support current literature showing that a proportion of subjects with PKU, in particular older subjects, are not fully compliant with their treatment and subsequently have Phe concentrations that depart from national recommendations. However, definitive conclusions may not be drawn due to the retrospective nature of the study and the small number of observed subjects.
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macdonald
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nanuwa
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Parkes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nathan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chauhan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000097:blood; D010661:Phenylketonurias / Q000178:diet therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D010649:Phenylalanine