Dietary and physical trigger factors in hereditary angioedema: Self-conducted investigation and literature overview
Julia Zarnowski1, Regina Treudler1,2
1 Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, and 2 Institute of Allergology, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
DOI 10.5414/ALX02523E
Abstract
Background: In hereditary angioedema (HAE), numerous factors are known to trigger an attack. The possible influence of diet or recreational sports has been given little consideration in studies. The aim of our work was to investigate the influence of nutrition and physical activity in patients with HAE at the Leipzig ACARE Center. Materials and methods: Patients with HAE were given a self-designed questionnaire inquiring for family history, disease progression, and encountered burden due to HAE, current therapy, and disease control (angioedema control test (AECT)) as well as the influence of diet and/or recreational sports on HAE attacks. Results: Inclusion of 30 patients (23 female, 77%) with a mean age of 49.5 ± 16.9 years and mean body mass index of 25.1 ± 6.4 kg/m2. 60% received prophylactic treatment, and 37% received exclusively on-demand therapy. The mean AECT score was 10.9 ± 5.1 and patients reported 15.5 ± 26.9 days of absence due to HAE attacks in the last 12 months. 33% reported an association with food intake, in particular worsening of abdominal symptoms (n = 7), swelling of the extremities (n = 3), face, larynx, or genital area (n = 1 each). 70% reported regular exercise, most commonly cycling (n = 11), running or walking (n = 10), or strength training (n = 10). 62% reported a worsening of HAE due to recreational exercise. Conclusion: Dietary factors and physical activity frequently led to an aggravation of HAE in our cohort and should be taken into consideration when counseling patients with regard to trigger avoidance.
Author Details
Authors
Departments
- 1 Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, and
- 2 Institute of Allergology, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
Address
Dr. med. Julia Zarnowski, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 69, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Email:
[email protected]
Citation
Julia Zarnowski and Regina Treudler.Dietary and physical trigger factors in hereditary angioedema: Self-conducted investigation and literature overview. Allergologie Select. 2024; 8: 358-364. doi: 10.5414/ALX02523E.
