Phenylketonuria from the perspectives of patients in Türkiye

Abstract

Background The present study aimed to determine the problems, unmet needs and expectations of phenylketonuria (PKU) patients in Türkiye regarding follow-up and treatment in order to provide data for future planning and implementations on PKU. Methods The study included patients diagnosed with PKU and/or their parents. They were informed about the study via phone calls and their verbal consents were obtained. Questions in the data collection forms, which were established separately for pediatric, adolescent, and adult age groups, were applied during the interviews and the answers were recorded. Results Among 182 classical PKU patients, 66 (36.3%) were in the pediatric group (0–12 years old), 44 (24.2%) were in the adolescent group (13–19 years old), and 72 (39.5%) were in the adult group (≥ 20 years old). In all patient groups, phenylalanine-restricted diet and medical nutrition products were the main options for treatment. The median of the last measured blood phenylalanine concentration (patient-reported) was 290 µmol/L, 425 µmol/L, and 750 µmol/L in the pediatric, adolescent, and adult groups, respectively. The frequency of blood testing for serum phenylalanine level according to the age groups was appropriate in nearly half of the patients. While the majority of the patients have been visiting the metabolism center they have been diagnosed with PKU for control, considerable proportion of the patients would like to change the center or the doctor they visit for control if they could. It was determined that nearly half of the patients had trouble in accessing the metabolism center. Treatment options’ being limited and expensive were the major problems. The main requests of the patients and patient relatives included easier access to the metabolism centers and more options for treatment and diet. Conclusions Access to the services should be easier to improve the patients’ follow-up and treatment. There is need for low-cost, easily applicable, and accessible nutrition products and effective novel pharmacological agents. Focusing on these issues in health policies by providing pedagogic/psychological support, establishing support programs also comprising the families, and increasing the awareness activities were the key outcomes.