<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Hereditary angioedema (HAE) caused by a deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor enzyme (C1-INH) is a very rare, autosomal dominantly inherited genetic disorder, characterized by recurrent peripheral angioedema, painful abdominal attacks and episodes of laryngeal edema. Abdominal attacks are frequent symptoms in adult HAE patients, occurring in more than 90% of the cases. Angioedema in the bowel or abdomen can occur in the absence of cutaneous manifestations and may be easily misdiagnosed unless the clinician has a high degree of awareness to include HAE in the differential diagnosis. Misdiagnosis is associated with inadequate treatments, including unnecessary surgical procedures. Any patient who presents recurrent episodes of swelling should be evaluated for HAE caused by C1-INH deficiency. New therapies could save lives and dramatically improve their quality of life.</p></abstract>

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) caused by a deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor enzyme (C1-INH) is a very rare, autosomal dominantly inherited genetic disorder, characterized by recurrent peripheral angioedema, painful abdominal attacks and episodes of laryngeal edema. Abdominal attacks are frequent symptoms in adult HAE patients, occurring in more than 90% of the cases. Angioedema in the bowel or abdomen can occur in the absence of cutaneous manifestations and may be easily misdiagnosed unless the clinician has a high degree of awareness to include HAE in the differential diagnosis. Misdiagnosis is associated with inadequate treatments, including unnecessary surgical procedures. Any patient who presents recurrent episodes of swelling should be evaluated for HAE caused by C1-INH deficiency. New therapies could save lives and dramatically improve their quality of life.

Hereditary Angioedema: a Challenging Diagnosis for the Gastroenterologist

Gastroenterology Department, Mureș County Hospital, Tîrgu Mureș,

Allergology-Immunology Department, Mureș County Hospital, Tîrgu Mureș,

University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș,

Journal of Interdisciplinary Medicine

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Hereditary Angioedema: a Challenging Diagnosis for the Gastroenterologist"}

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) caused by a deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor enzyme (C1-INH) is a very rare, autosomal dominantly inherited genetic disorder,...

Hereditary Angioedema: a Challenging Diagnosis for the Gastroenterologist

Published Online: Dec 29, 2016

Page range: 287 - 292

Received: Nov 07, 2016

Accepted: Dec 27, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jim-2016-0072

Keywords
hereditary angioedema, C1-INH deficiency, abdominal attacks

© 2016 Gabriella Gábos et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Hereditary Angioedema: a Challenging Diagnosis for the Gastroenterologist

Published Online: Dec 29, 2016

Page range: 287 - 292

Received: Nov 07, 2016

Accepted: Dec 27, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jim-2016-0072

Keywordshereditary angioedema, C1-INH deficiency, abdominal attacks

© 2016 Gabriella Gábos et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
hereditary angioedema, C1-INH deficiency, abdominal attacks