Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases最新文献

{"title":"A description of variant transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) stage 1 patients and asymptomatic carriers in Spain: the EMPATIa study.","authors":"Lucía Galán Dávila, Fernando Martinez Valle, Juan Buades Reinés, Juan Gonzalez-Moreno, Inés Losada López, Teresa Sevilla, Francisco Muñoz Beamud, José Eulalio Bárcena Llona, Manuel Romero Acebal, Francesca Setaro, Diana Primiano, Patricia Tarilonte","doi":"10.1186/s13023-024-03304-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-024-03304-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Variant transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) is a rare multisystemic disorder caused by mutations in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. The aim of the present work was to describe the clinical profile of asymptomatic carriers (AC) and Coutinho stage 1 ATTRv patients in Spain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>National, multicentre, cross-sectional study that included 86 AC and 19 patients diagnosed in the previous 12 months to enrolment. Clinical and demographical data, TTR gene mutations, red flags anamnesis, neurological and cardiological assessments were collected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of patients was 56.8 years at onset and 58.6 years at diagnosis; 53% of patients and 51% of AC were from non-endemic areas. Val50Met was the most frequent mutation in both groups. Neuropathy impairment score data (mean 17.7 ± 20.5) and small-fibre function in lower limbs assessed with SUDOSCAN revealed that patients were diagnosed at early stages of neurological impairment. Peripheral polyneuropathy (84.2%), autonomic neuropathy (73.7%), cardiac (63.2%) and gastrointestinal (47.4%) alterations were the most common symptoms in patients. Autonomic neuropathy, gastrointestinal impairment, carpal tunnel syndrome, cardiac and ocular alterations were potentially related to ATTRv in the AC group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The EMPATIa study provides a detailed description of AC and Coutinho stage 1 ATTRv patients across Spain, confirming the multisystemic clinical profile of the disease. This study reveals a diagnosis delay around 1.8 years, highlighting the importance of a profound disease awareness to reach a diagnose in earlier stages of neurological impairment.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11378489/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142145997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health service utilization, economic burden and quality of life of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis in China.","authors":"Qi Kang, Yuhang Fang, Yan Yang, Dingguo Li, Lin Zheng, Xinyi Chen, Xiaowen Tu, Chunlin Jin","doi":"10.1186/s13023-024-03333-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-024-03333-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) often face delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options and high healthcare costs, that may significantly affect patients' quality of life. The objective of this study was to understand medical service utilization related to diagnosis and treatment, economic burden during diagnosis period, and health-related quality of life among MPS patients in China.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A series of patients diagnosed with MPS registered in the national patient organization were recruited for a cross-sectional survey from May to July 2019. Information were collected from patients or their parents via phone interview, including demographic data, utilization of services related to diagnosis and treatment, total cost during the period of MPS diagnosis and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL was assessed by PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scale (PedsQL) and 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) depending on the age of patients with MPS and compared with the general Chinese population.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 180 MPS patients (50, 67, 15, 46, 1 and 1 for type I, II, III, IV, VI and VII), with a mean age of 9.54 years and 137 (76.11%) males, were included in analysis. The mean age at first visit to a medical doctor for MPS related symptoms was 3.65 ± 2.58 years old, while only 12 patients (6.67%) were diagnosed on their first visit. The mean diagnostic delay, which is defined as the time between the first visit to a medical doctor for MPS related symptoms and the final diagnosis, was 9.42 months, with no significant difference between types. The average number of misdiagnosis was 4.56. Before the confirmed diagnosis, the patients made an average of 6.31 visits and visited 4.3 hospitals. During diagnosis period, the mean of ¥81,086.72 direct medical costs accounted for 63.75% of the total cost. Only 32.78% of the patients had ever received specific treatments. The mean scores of PedsQL and SF-36 of patients were significantly lower than the Chinese norms. Household annual income per person, specific treatment use and MPS subtype were significantly associated HRQoL of patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results highlight challenges faced by MPS patients in terms of diagnosis, access to specific treatments, economic burden and low HRQoL. There is an urgent need to improve early detection and diagnosis, create fair and consistent mechanisms to increase access to specialized treatment and reduce the economic burden of MPS patients in China.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11378465/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142146000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A scoping review of health literacy in rare disorders: key issues and research directions.","authors":"Una Stenberg, Lydia Westfal, Andreas Dybesland Rosenberger, Kristin Ørstavik, Maria Flink, Heidi Holmen, Silje Systad, Karl Fredrik Westermann, Gry Velvin","doi":"10.1186/s13023-024-03332-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-024-03332-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The ability to find, understand, appraise and utilise health information is crucial among individuals living with rare disorders. The aim of this study was to give a comprehensive overview of the literature on health literacy in adult persons with rare disorders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We applied a scoping review methodology and performed a systematic search in 2021 in bibliographic databases. Searches were conducted in Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), PsycInfo (Ovid), CINAHL (ebsco), and ERIC (Ovid). References were sorted and evaluated for inclusion using EndNote and Covidence. This review was guided by the question \"What are the characteristics of research on health literacy in rare disorders?\"</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The database searches yielded 75 eligible reports. A total of 6223 individuals with rare disorders were represented alongside 1707 caregivers. The reports in this review have included study participants representing a total of 80 different rare disorders with unique ORPHA and ICD-10 codes. The results revealed that persons with rare disorders often exhibit gaps in health literacy through a lack of knowledge and access to information related to self-management, their own diagnosis and health, as well as daily coping and social rights. In addition, the importance of aid and information from healthcare personnel and the significance of getting social support from others in the same situation were accentuated.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This review emphasizes the importance of reinforcing health literacy among persons with rare disorders through peer support and education. This is the first review to give a comprehensive and state-of-the-art overview of literature investigating health literacy among persons with rare disorders and offers a basis for further research.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11380335/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142145998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"VUS next in rare diseases? Deciphering genetic determinants of biomolecular condensation.","authors":"María Heredia-Torrejón, Raúl Montañez, Antonio González-Meneses, Atilano Carcavilla, Miguel A Medina, Alfonso M Lechuga-Sancho","doi":"10.1186/s13023-024-03307-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-024-03307-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The diagnostic odysseys for rare disease patients are getting shorter as next-generation sequencing becomes more widespread. However, the complex genetic diversity and factors influencing expressivity continue to challenge accurate diagnosis, leaving more than 50% of genetic variants categorized as variants of uncertain significance.Genomic expression intricately hinges on localized interactions among its products. Conventional variant prioritization, biased towards known disease genes and the structure-function paradigm, overlooks the potential impact of variants shaping the composition, location, size, and properties of biomolecular condensates, genuine membraneless organelles swiftly sensing and responding to environmental changes, and modulating expressivity.To address this complexity, we propose to focus on the nexus of genetic variants within biomolecular condensates determinants. Scrutinizing variant effects in these membraneless organelles could refine prioritization, enhance diagnostics, and unveil the molecular underpinnings of rare diseases. Integrating comprehensive genome sequencing, transcriptomics, and computational models can unravel variant pathogenicity and disease mechanisms, enabling precision medicine. This paper presents the rationale driving our proposal and describes a protocol to implement this approach. By fusing state-of-the-art knowledge and methodologies into the clinical practice, we aim to redefine rare diseases diagnosis, leveraging the power of scientific advancement for more informed medical decisions.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11380411/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142146003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Social cognition, psychosocial development and well-being in galactosemia.","authors":"Clémentine Bry, Klervi Propice, Jessica Bourgin, Morgane Métral","doi":"10.1186/s13023-024-03335-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-024-03335-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Classic galactosemia is a rare inherited metabolic disease with long-term complications, particularly in the psychosocial domain. Patients report a lower quality of social life, difficulties in interactions and social relationships, and a lower mental health. We hypothesised that social cognition deficits could partially explain this psychological symptomatology. Eleven adults with galactosemia and 31 control adults participated in the study. We measured social cognition skills in cognitive and affective theory of Mind, and in basic and complex emotion recognition. We explored psychosocial development and mental well-being.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found significant deficits on all 4 social cognition measures. Compared to controls, participants with galactosemia were impaired in the 2nd-order cognitive theory of mind, in affective theory of mind, and in basic and complex emotion recognition. Participants with galactosemia had a significant delay in their psychosexual development, but we found no delay in social development and no significant decrease in mental health.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Social cognition processes seem impaired among our participants with galactosemia. We discuss the future path research may follow. More research is needed to replicate and strengthen these results and establish the links between psychosocial complications and deficits in social cognition.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11378408/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142146001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anything is better than nothing': exploring attitudes towards novel therapies in leukodystrophy clinical trials.","authors":"Ella Wilson, Richard Leventer, Chloe Cunningham, Michelle G de Silva, Jan Hodgson, Eloise Uebergang","doi":"10.1186/s13023-024-03320-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-024-03320-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong>Leukodystrophies comprise a group of genetic white matter disorders that lead to progressive motor and cognitive impairment. Recent development of novel therapies has led to an increase in clinical trials for leukodystrophies. To enable recruitment of individuals with a leukodystrophy into clinical trials, clinical trial acceptability should be ascertained. We sought therefore, to identify the motivations for and barriers to clinical trial participation in addition to clinical trial features that may be of concern to individuals with a leukodystrophy and/or their carers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adults with a leukodystrophy and parents/carers of individuals with a leukodystrophy were recruited through the Australian Leukodystrophy Registry and through online advertisements. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were used to explore participants views on what clinical trials involve, the perceived risks and benefits of clinical trials, their desire to participate in clinical trials and their personal experience with leukodystrophy. Thematic analysis of data was performed with co-coding of interview transcripts.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>5 interviews were held with parents of children with leukodystrophy, 4 with parents of adults with leukodystrophy and 3 with adults diagnosed with leukodystrophy. Motivations for clinical trial enrolment include access to potentially lifesaving novel treatments and improved prognostic outcomes. Participants were concerned about adverse clinical trial outcomes, including side effects and exacerbation of illness. Despite this, majority of participants were willing to try anything in clinical trials, demonstrating a high tolerance for first in human trials and trials utilising invasive treatment options.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Interviewees communicated a strong desire to participate in interventional clinical trials involving novel therapies. To support enrolment into future leukodystrophy clinical trials we suggest the provision of transparent information regarding clinical trial treatments, consideration of alternative trial control measures, and inclusion of treating clinicians in the trial recruitment process. Clinicians play an integral role in initiating transparent conversations regarding trial risks and adverse outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11378604/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142140722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sensory dysfunction in SMA type 2 and 3 - adaptive mechanism or concomitant target of damage?","authors":"Magdalena Koszewicz, Jakub Ubysz, Edyta Dziadkowiak, Malgorzata Wieczorek, Slawomir Budrewicz","doi":"10.1186/s13023-024-03339-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-024-03339-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The motor neuron survival protein performs numerous cellular functions; hence, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is considered to be a multi-organ disease with possible sensory system damage. The controversy surrounding the presence of sensory disturbances, prompted us to conduct standard electrophysiological studies and assess the sensory thresholds for different modalities in adults with SMA types 2 and 3. The study group consisted of 44 adult SMA patients (types 2 and 3). All patients underwent neurological examination using the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale - Expanded (HFMSE). Standard sensory electrophysiological studies in the ulnar nerve and the estimation of vibratory, temperature, and warm- and cold-induced pain thresholds with temperature dispersion assessment were performed using quantitative sensory testing (QST).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The most repeatable result was the high amplitude of the sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP) in SMA patients compared to controls. This was higher in type 2 patients compared to type 3a and 3b patients and patients with low HFSME scores. Patients with SMA, especially type 3b presented a longer sensory latency and slower conduction velocity than did controls. Cold pain threshold was higher and warm dispersion larger in SMA. The vibratory limit was higher in patients with high HFSME scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A high SNAP amplitude suggests sensory fibre hyperactivity, which may be based on overactivation of metabolic pathways as an adaptive mechanism in response to SMN protein deficiency with additionally coexisting small C- and A-delta fibre damage. SMA patients seem to have a concomitant, mild demyelinating process present at the early SMA stage.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11370137/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142126327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of care for juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients: insights from Thailand.","authors":"Rattakorn Pinpattanapong, Maynart Sukharomana, Sirirat Charuvanij","doi":"10.1186/s13023-024-03330-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-024-03330-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted individuals with chronic conditions. This investigation assessed the quality of care provided to pediatric and adolescent patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) during the pandemic in Thailand.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional analysis enrolled JIA patients aged ≤ 18 years at an academic tertiary care facility from April 2022 to March 2023. Retrospective reviews were performed, complemented by patient and caregiver questionnaires to assess the pandemic's impact on care quality.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seventy JIA patients (37 males, 33 females) with a mean age of 13.5 ± 3.1 years were included. A total of 41.4% of the caregivers reported negative impacts on JIA care due to the pandemic and the lockdown, and 31.4% of the patients experienced pandemic-related anxiety. A comparison between the pandemic and prepandemic periods revealed a higher incidence of active disease, although the difference was statistically nonsignificant (37.1% vs 14.2%, p = 0.106). Nonadherence significantly predicted active disease status (adjusted OR 15.04, 95% CI 2.48-91.15, p = 0.03). COVID-19 vaccinations were administered to 85.7% of patients; 52.8% of whom contracted mild COVID-19. Most patients (71.4%) postponed clinic visits; 36% due to lockdowns and 28% due to concerns about COVID-19 exposure in healthcare settings. The majority of patients received telephone JIA management advice from rheumatologists during the lockdown (91.4%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures affected the care of JIA patients, impacting both physical and mental health. Nonadherence was a critical factor in disease flare-ups. Telemedicine is indispensable for patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11367977/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142120360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experiences of quality of life and access to health services among rare disease caregivers: a scoping review.","authors":"Tina Černe, Lijana Zaletel Kragelj, Eva Turk, Danica Rotar Pavlič","doi":"10.1186/s13023-024-03327-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13023-024-03327-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Research on rare diseases focuses less on caregivers, who play an important role in meeting the medical and social needs of the people they care for. Caregivers of people with rare diseases face negative outcomes due to problems with diagnosis, caring for complex conditions and expensive treatments. However, the factors that affect their quality of life are poorly understood. Poor mental and physical health of caregivers has a direct impact on the person they are caring for.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To explore the literature on this topic, we conducted a scoping review in which we identified and analysed relevant studies to find out how extensively this topic has been researched. The articles were retrieved from the bibliographic databases PubMed, Ovid Medline and Ebsco Cinahl.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We initially identified 299 references and then included thirty-four articles. The included articles address three main topics, namely caregiver quality of life, health care accessibility, and the impact of health care accessibility on caregiver QOL.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides information that is important to multiple providers of services as it can help to better understand caregivers and people with rare diseases and improve the quality of services offered. It highlights areas with the greatest need for change and offers insight into the complexity of caring for people with rare diseases, assisting policymakers in developing policies to support informal caregivers.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11365242/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142110519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leber hereditary optic neuropathy in Slovenia: quality of life and costs from patient perspective.","authors":"Marko Hawlina, Lea Kovač, Katarína Breciková, Jan Žigmond, Vladimír Rogalewicz, Aleš Tichopád, Martin Višňanský, Ivana Šarkanová","doi":"10.1186/s13023-024-03329-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-024-03329-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is the most commonly diagnosed mitochondrial disorder, resulting in colour vision abnormalities and rapid but painless deterioration of central vision. While numerous studies have assessed the impact of LHON on the quality of life (QoL) of LHON patients, the financial impact of the disease remains unexplored. This study attempts to calculate both the direct non-medical costs and the indirect costs associated with productivity losses experienced by people with LHON and their unpaid caregivers in Slovenia, in addition to assessing their QoL. Due to the rarity of the disease, the study involved a small sample size, which is important to note for interpreting the results.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The analysis was conducted on nine adult participants diagnosed with LHON, representing one-third of the total number of known Slovenian patients with this condition. To thoroughly assess the economic and social impact of LHON, tailored questionnaires were designed to collect information on demographics, socioeconomic status, LHON severity, and associated non-medical and indirect costs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of the study participants was 48.8 years (SD 13.3; n = 9). The annual productivity loss attributable to LHON, taking both absenteeism and relative presenteeism into account, was calculated to be EUR 11,608 per person affected. The mean VFQ-25 score, a measure of vision-related quality of life, for adult LHON patients was 30.4 (SD 12.9).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings highlight the significant economic and social burden of LHON on patients and their families. Ensuring prompt, accurate diagnosis, access to treatment, financial support, and psychological counselling and services are critical to helping individuals cope with and mitigate the profound challenges of vision loss and living with LHON.</p>","PeriodicalId":19651,"journal":{"name":"Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11365147/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142110520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}