Limitations in how we
currently measure success for
patients with Fabry disease
A range of assessments and schedules are recommended to monitor different organ systems in adult patients with Fabry disease.1 However, there has been no systematic way to evaluate the frequency and impact of signs and symptoms, or to identify which are the most debilitating and most important in terms of quality of life (QoL).2
Current recommendations include:
Laboratory measurements, including Gb3 levels, lyso-Gb3 levels, albuminuria test and eGFR.1 Additional monitoring dictated by each patients individual clinical course3
Multisystemic monitoring – all relevant systems must be assessed, treated and monitored individually4
Can patient-reported outcomes offer a different perspective?
Patient reported outcomes may be measured with:
SF-36 questionnaire: assesses 8 domains of QoL - Physical Functioning, Role Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality/Energy, Social Functioning, Role Emotional, and Mental5
EQ-5D questionnaire: assesses 5 domains of QoL - mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain, and anxiety/depression5
Better understanding of QoL in different disease states and improved understanding of the influence of specific symptoms and complications on QoL may facilitate targeted treatment, and improve the well-being of Fabry patients.6
THOROUGHLY UNDERSTANDING PATIENT EXPERIENCES IS KEY IN MEASURING THE BURDEN OF FABRY.2
eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; Gb3, globotriaosylceramide; lyso-Gb3, globotriaosylsphingosine; SF-36, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey.
Clinical evaluations should involve a multidisciplinary team of subspecialists, which should be coordinated by a physician experienced in the care of patients with Fabry disease.3
A care team may include physicians of the following specialties:1
Cardiology
Nephrology
Neurology
Psychology
Genetics
Primary care
If you or your patients don’t have access to all of the specialists noted above, directing your patients to the following resources may help them learn more about their condition:
ESC
European Society of Cardiology
EKPF
European Kidney Patients Federation
EFNA
European Federation of Neurological Associations
EFPA
European Foundation for Psychologists and Analysts
EGAN
Patients Network for Medical Research and Health
EURORDIS
The Voice of Rare Disease Patients in Europe
Supportive care is important.7 To help your patients understand the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, consider advising them that:
Therapeutic management of Fabry disease requires a multidisciplinary approach by medical specialists experienced in treating this rare condition.4
Comprehensive monitoring regardless of age, sex, or treatment status, should be conducted at regular intervals.4
Annual evaluations ensure that they receive optimal interventions and support.3
Results from each specialist will come together to form a complete picture of their health.1
Working with specialists early will allow for the collection of baseline measurements, which can help the team see signs of progression early.1
It’s important for them to work with a multidisciplinary care team, even if they are not currently experiencing symptoms in a given part of their body.1,5
Their family members with Fabry may experience the disease in a distinct way.2
At Chiesi Global Rare Diseases, we’re working to build a brighter future for patients.
We want to revolutionize the lives of patients living with rare diseases by providing an integrated set of definitive solutions.8
The patients are the beginning and the end of our journey. For them, we work in close partnership with patients, caregivers, patient associations, healthcare practitioners, and regulatory and pricing authorities.8
We strive to build a brighter future for the patients we serve; we relentlessly pursue sustainable growth with passion, courage, teamwork, and innovation.8
We are fully committed to rethinking what is possible in Fabry disease. Together, we can take action to make a change.
References:
Za pacijente: U slučaju potrebe da prijavite neželjenu reakciju na medicinsko sredstvo, obratite se svom lekaru i zamolite ga da popuni i podnese relevantni izveštaj o slučaju nadležnom zdravstvenom organu, u skladu sa važećim zahtevima vigilance u Vašoj zemlji. U svakom slučaju, podsećamo Vas da svaki pacijent može direktno prijaviti sve takve slučajeve nacionalnom sistemu prijavljivanja na sledeću e-mail adresu: vigilancams@alims.gov.rs
Za zdravstvene radnike: Ukoliko ste upoznati sa slučajem neželjene reakcije na medicinsko sredstvo, prijavite je svom zdravstvenom organu u skladu sa zahtevima regulative iz oblasti vigilance. Prijavu možete izvršiti bilo elektronskim putem, preko ePortalMS Agencije (https://ms.alims.gov.rs) ili na sledeću e-mail adresu: vigilancams@alims.gov.rs
Sada napuštate RethinkFabry.rs. Sajt na koji ulazite nije vlasništvo kompanije RethinkFabry.eu niti ona njim upravlja.