The Effects of Health Education on Acute Intermittent Porphyria Attacks : A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP) is characterized by acute attacks of neurovisceral symptoms. Infection and negative emotions are factors that can trigger acute AIP attacks, thus avoiding these potential triggers can effectively reduce the risk of acute attacks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online health education provides patients with a convenient and safe way to receive health education, thus effectively improving their quality of life（QoL）. We explored the effect of online health education on acute AIP attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods：This study retrospectively included 47 patients with AIP who were infected with COVID-19 and completed a questionnaire from November 2022 to March 2023. These participants were divided into two groups based on whether they had received centralized health education during COVID-19. The primary outcomes were acute AIP attacks, AIP attack severity, and QoL. Secondary outcomes were negative emotions and positive coping styles. Results: In comparison to the non-health education group, the health education group showed a significant decrease in the incidence of acute AIP attacks (P < .05), a reduction in the severity of AIP attacks (P < .05), and an improvement in QoL (P < .05). Additionally, the health education group had a significant decrease in negative emotions (P < 0.05) and a substantial increase in positive coping styles (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Health education may enhance patients' cognition and coping skills, and reduce negative emotions, thereby reducing the occurrence and severity of acute AIP attacks, and improving the patients' QoL.