Epidemiology of non-hereditary angioedema.
The prevalence of non-hereditary angioedema was investigated in a general population sample (n = 7,931) and in a sample of Danish patients (n = 7,433) tested for deficiency of functional complement C(1) esterase inhibitor protein (functional C(1) INH). The general population sample (44% response rate) reported a lifetime prevalence of 7.4% for angioedema. In both groups symptoms were most frequent in the lips, head, neck, eyes and tongue. In the C(1) INH test normal group angioedema was still active at the time of the study in 53% of the patients, and 36% reported symptoms in the throat, 23% in the abdominal area, 17% had diarrhoea, 11% had vomiting and 6% fainted during attacks. Non-hereditary angioedema has high lifetime prevalence and becomes chronic in approximately 50% of affected patients. Symptoms in the larynx and throat, as well as non-specific symptoms, such as dizziness and abdominal pain, were more frequent than previously reported.
Allergy and Lung Clinic Helsingør, Denmark. flem-mad@dadlnet.dk
Flemming
F
Madsen
Jørn
J
Attermann
Allan
A
Linneberg
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000799:Angioedema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins / Q000172:deficiency; D050718:Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013575:Syncope / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014839:Vomiting / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D003174:Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins; D050718:Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein; C469952:SERPING1 protein, human