Resources for Diagnosing and Treating Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)

ACEP is excited to announce its partnership with the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) in the “HAE: Learn About It, Talk About It” program, an innovative, peer-driven campaign aimed at uniting disparate specialties that see patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) to help advance the standard of care.

HAE is a rare and potentially fatal genetic disease characterized by sudden, severe, and painful swelling episodes that can affect any part of the body. Because HAE symptoms can mimic other emergencies, including appendicitis, acute abdomen, or an allergic reaction, the average patient can endure 13 years of repeated misdiagnoses before HAE is identified. As the first line of contact with undiagnosed and diagnosed patients in many cases, emergency physicians and physicians’ assistants can play can role in improving care for patients by quickly recognizing HAE symptoms, understanding new disease management paradigms, and referring patients to an HAE-treating physician for appropriate management.

With new, targeted therapy options available in the United States, now is the time for specialists on the front lines of HAE to work together to improve patient care. Emergency physicians are critical to this effort:

• Learn more about how to diagnose HAE at www.LetsTalkHAE.com
• Access the HAE Toolkit. This kit includes downloadable resources for patients and their families to navigate HAE in their daily lives.
• Watch the HAE Webinar, sign up for the podcast series, download the iPhone application
• Be prepared if you see a patient: Find an HAE-treating allergist in your area at www.LetsTalkHAE.com
• Talk about HAE and share this resource with your colleagues and other specialists

“HAE: Learn About It, Talk About It” is supported by ViroPharma Incorporated.