Epidemiology of Non-hereditary Angioedema

Abstract

The prevalence of non-hereditary angioedema was investigated in a general population sample (n = 7,931) and in a sample of Danish patients (n = 7,433) tested for deficiency of functional complement C(1) esterase inhibitor protein (functional C(1) INH). The general population sample (44% response rate) reported a lifetime prevalence of 7.4% for angioedema. In both groups symptoms were most frequent in the lips, head, neck, eyes and tongue. In the C(1) INH test normal group angioedema was still active at the time of the study in 53% of the patients, and 36% reported symptoms in the throat, 23% in the abdominal area, 17% had diarrhoea, 11% had vomiting and 6% fainted during attacks. Non-hereditary angioedema has high lifetime prevalence and becomes chronic in approximately 50% of affected patients. Symptoms in the larynx and throat, as well as non-specific symptoms, such as dizziness and abdominal pain, were more frequent than previously reported.

Presentation, diagnosis and treatment of angioedema without wheals: a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 1058 patients

“…On the other hand, the majority (61%) of angioedema cases reported by Madsen et al had a definable cause (drug, food, insect sting or autoimmune disease), whereas such angioedema cases account for only 13% in the present study. Because the majority of our patients are referred from specialists, we are unlikely to observe angioedema with a definite cause; the predominance of this in the general population is likely to have been more accurately recorded by Madsen et al These authors estimated that 7.4% of subjects in the general population have had one episode of angioedema during their lifetime [16]. Based on this finding, and after excluding cases of angioedema with identifiable cause or wheals, 1% of the population is likely to have an episode of angioedema.…”

Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitor-induced Angioedema – A Dangerous New Epidemic

“…There are numerous causes for angioedema such as allergic, drug-mediated, autoimmune or due to complement C1 inhibitor deficiency. However a large proportion of angioedema patients end up with no identifiable cause (idiopathic angioedema) (1). Most angioedema attacks are caused by mast cell activation and histamine release.…”

Angiœdème : diagnostics différentiels

“…Il est le plus souvent récidivant. Les localisations les plus fréquentes de l'angioedème sont les extrémités, la face, les voies aériennes supérieures et l'abdomen [5,6]. D'autres localisations sont possibles mais moins fréquentes : appareil génital, système urinaire.…”