BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the clinical characteristics of COPD patients with AATD according to their age at diagnosis. METHODS: Data was obtained from the European Alpha-1 Research Collaboration (EARCO) registry, an international prospective cohort study. AATD patients with COPD registered between February 2020 and October 2024 were analysed. Clinical charateristics were compared between groups, stratified by age of AATD diagnosis as follows; <45, 45-65 and ≥65 years. A multivariable logistic regression model explored factors associated with age at diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 1,565 AATD-COPD patients were included, with 18.2% receiving an AATD diagnosis at age ≥ 65. In univariate comparisons according to diagnosis age revealed that the prevalence of patients with Pi*ZZ mutation was lower in the ≥ 65 age group (47.1%) compared to the 45-65 (65.5%) and < 45 (78.5%) age groups. In contrast, the prevalence of Pi*SZ and Pi*SS were higher in the ≥ 65 group compared to the younger age groups. The proportion of never-smokers was highest in the ≥ 65 group (39.5%), whereas only 15.3% of patients under 45 were never-smokers. Multivariate analysis showed that; compared to never-smokers, former smoking (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.03-0.23) and current smoking (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.27-0.70) were negatively associated with a diagnosis at age ≥ 65 in all sample. Compared to the Pi*ZZ genotype, among all sample, Pi*SS was associated with more than a 3-fold increased likelihood of diagnosis at age ≥ 65 and when considering only index cases Pi*SZ was associated with diagnosis age of ≥ 65 (OR: 2.01, 95%CI: 1.01-4.04). Among patients with the Pi*ZZ, current smoking was negatively associated (OR:0.24,95%CI: 0.13-0.47) with a diagnosis at age ≥ 65, whereas higher FEV1% and serum AAT levels were positively associated with later diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Patients diagnosed at an older age had lower tobacco exposure and less severe disease. This suggests that subclinical symptoms may contribute to delays in diagnosis, as COPD features can be subtle or under-recognised until later in life. Our findings highlight the importance of considering AATD in all COPD patients, regardless of age, to avoid missed or delayed diagnoses.

• Klíčová slova
• AATD, COPD, Diagnosis age, Elderly,
• MeSH
• chronická obstrukční plicní nemoc * epidemiologie   patofyziologie   etiologie   diagnóza   MeSH
• deficit alfa1-antitrypsinu * komplikace   genetika   epidemiologie   MeSH
• kouření epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• logistické modely MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• registrace MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH

BACKGROUND: The PI*S variant is one of the most prevalent mutations within alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). The risk of developing AATD-related lung disease in individuals with the PI*SS genotype is poorly defined despite its substantial prevalence. Our study aimed to characterize this genotype and its risk for lung disease and compare it with the PI*ZZ and PI*SZ genotypes using data from the European Alpha-1 antitrypsin Deficiency Research Collaboration international registry. METHOD: Demographic, clinical, functional, and quality of life (QoL) parameters were assessed to compare the PI*SS characteristics with the PI*SZ and PI*ZZ controls. A propensity score with 1:3 nearest-neighbour matching was performed for the most important confounding variables. RESULTS: The study included 1007 individuals, with PI*SS (n = 56; 5.6%), PI*ZZ (n = 578; 57.4%) and PI*SZ (n = 373; 37.0%). The PI*SS population consisted of 58.9% men, with a mean age of 59.2 years and a mean FEV1(% predicted) of 83.4%. Compared to PI*ZZ individuals they had less frequent lung disease (71.4% vs. 82.2%, p = 0.037), COPD (41.4% vs. 60%, p = 0.002), and emphysema (23.2% vs. 51.9%, p < 0.001) and better preserved lung function, fewer exacerbations, lower level of dyspnoea, and better QoL. In contrast, no significant differences were found in the prevalence of lung diseases between PI*SS and PI*SZ, or lung function parameters, exacerbations, dyspnoea, or QoL. CONCLUSIONS: We found that, as expected, the risk of lung disease associated with the PI*SS genotype is significantly lower compared with PI*ZZ, but does not differ from that observed in PI*SZ individuals, despite having higher serum AAT levels. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov (ID: NCT04180319).

• Klíčová slova
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin, Lung disease, PI*SS, Registries,
• MeSH
• alfa-1-antitrypsin * genetika   MeSH
• deficit alfa1-antitrypsinu * genetika   epidemiologie   diagnóza   MeSH
• genotyp * MeSH
• kvalita života MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plicní nemoci genetika   epidemiologie   diagnóza   MeSH
• registrace MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alfa-1-antitrypsin * MeSH
• SERPINA1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč

BACKGROUND: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a rare disease that is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary emphysema. The European AATD Research Collaboration (EARCO) international registry was founded with the objective of characterising the individuals with AATD and investigating their natural history. METHODS: The EARCO registry is an international, observational and prospective study of individuals with AATD, defined as AAT serum levels < 11 μM and/or proteinase inhibitor genotypes PI*ZZ, PI*SZ and compound heterozygotes or homozygotes of other rare deficient variants. We describe the characteristics of the individuals included from February 2020 to May 2022. RESULTS: A total of 1044 individuals from 15 countries were analysed. The most frequent genotype was PI*ZZ (60.2%), followed by PI*SZ (29.2%). Among PI*ZZ patients, emphysema was the most frequent lung disease (57.2%) followed by COPD (57.2%) and bronchiectasis (22%). Up to 76.4% had concordant values of FEV1(%) and KCO(%). Those with impairment in FEV1(%) alone had more frequently bronchiectasis and asthma and those with impairment in KCO(%) alone had more frequent emphysema and liver disease. Multivariate analysis showed that advanced age, male sex, exacerbations, increased blood platelets and neutrophils, augmentation and lower AAT serum levels were associated with worse FEV1(%). CONCLUSIONS: EARCO has recruited > 1000 individuals with AATD from 15 countries in its first 2 years. Baseline cross sectional data provide relevant information about the clinical phenotypes of the disease, the patterns of functional impairment and factors associated with poor lung function. Trial registration www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov (ID: NCT04180319).

• Klíčová slova
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin, Phenotypes, Registry,
• MeSH
• alfa-1-antitrypsin genetika   MeSH
• bronchiektazie * diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• chronická obstrukční plicní nemoc * genetika   MeSH
• deficit alfa1-antitrypsinu * diagnóza   epidemiologie   genetika   MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plicní emfyzém * diagnóza   epidemiologie   komplikace   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• registrace MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alfa-1-antitrypsin MeSH

α1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a rare and under-recognised genetic condition. Owing to its low prevalence, international initiatives are key for conducting high-quality research in the field. From July 2018 to December 2019, the European Alpha-1 Research Collaboration (EARCO) developed and conducted two surveys, one for healthcare providers and one for patients and caregivers, aiming to identify research priorities and barriers in access to treatment for AATD. A survey on 164 research questions was electronically sent to 230 AATD experts in Europe, and 94 completed surveys from 24 countries were received. The top research areas identified by healthcare providers were causes of variable progression and poor outcomes, improvement in diagnosis, initiation and optimal dosing of augmentation therapy and effectiveness of self-management interventions. During the same period, 438 surveys were completed by patients and caregivers from 26 countries. The top research areas identified were improving knowledge about AATD, in particular among general practitioners, access to AATD specialised centres and access to reliable, easy to understand information about living with AATD. Regarding barriers to treatment, participants from countries where augmentation therapy was reimbursed prioritised improving knowledge in AATD, while respondents in non-reimbursed countries regarded access to AATD augmentation therapy and to specialised centres as the most relevant. The main research and management priorities identified by healthcare providers and patients included understanding the natural history of AATD, improving information to physicians, improving access to specialised reference centres, personalising treatment and having equal opportunities for access to existing therapies.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a genetic condition that leads to an increased risk of emphysema and liver disease. Despite extensive investigation, there remain unanswered questions concerning the natural history, pathophysiology, genetics and the prognosis of the lung disease in association with AATD. The European Alpha-1 Clinical Research Collaboration (EARCO) is designed to bring together researchers from European countries and to create a standardised database for the follow-up of patients with AATD. STUDY DESIGN AND POPULATION: The EARCO Registry is a non-interventional, multicentre, pan-European, longitudinal observational cohort study enrolling patients with AATD. Data will be collected prospectively without interference/modification of patient's management by the study team. The major inclusion criterion is diagnosed severe AATD, defined by an AAT serum level <11 µM (50 mg·dL-1) and/or a proteinase inhibitor genotype ZZ, SZ or compound heterozygotes or homozygotes of other rare deficient variants. Assessments at baseline and during the yearly follow-up visits include lung function testing (spirometry, body plethysmography and diffusing capacity of the lung), exercise capacity, blood tests and questionnaires (symptoms, quality of life and physical activity). To ensure correct data collection, there will be designated investigator staff to document the data in the case report form. All data will be reviewed by the EARCO database manager. SUMMARY: The EARCO Registry aims to understand the natural history and prognosis of AATD better with the goal to create and validate prognostic tools to support medical decision-making.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Despite recent improvements, α1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) remains a rarely diagnosed and treated condition. To assess the variability of AATD diagnosis/treatment in Europe, and to evaluate clinicians' views on methods to optimise management, specialist AATD clinicians were invited to complete a web-based survey. Surveys were completed by 15 physicians from 14 centres in 13 European countries. All respondents perceived the AATD diagnosis rate to be low in their country; 77% of physicians believed that ∼15% of cases were diagnosed. Low awareness was perceived as the greatest barrier to diagnosis. Spirometry was considered more practical than quantitative computed tomography (QCT) for monitoring AATD patients in clinical practice; QCT was considered more useful in trials. AAT therapy provision was reported to be highly variable: France and Germany were reported to treat the highest proportion (∼60%) of diagnosed patients, in contrast to the UK and Hungary, where virtually no patients receive AAT therapy. Most clinicians supported self-administration and extended dosing intervals to improve convenience of AAT therapy. This survey indicates that AATD diagnosis and management are highly heterogeneous in Europe; European cooperation is essential to generate data to support access to AAT therapy. Improving convenience of AAT therapy is an ongoing objective.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Administration of 120 mg·kg−1 α1-antitrypsin on a biweekly basis was safe and well tolerated http://ow.ly/CVbz30lUBum

α1-antitrypsin (α1-AT) deficiency is a hereditary disorder characterised by an abnormally low concentration of functional α1-AT in blood and tissues [1]. The primary role of α1-AT is to protect elastin-containing tissues, most notably the lung, against the destructive activity of proteolytic enzymes [2]. Patients with severe α1-AT deficiency present with serum α1-AT concentrations <11 μM and are prone to destruction of the lung tissue, often developing respiratory symptoms and emphysema in the fourth or fifth decade of life [3, 4].

• MeSH
• alfa-1-antitrypsin aplikace a dávkování   škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• deficit alfa1-antitrypsinu komplikace   farmakoterapie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• intravenózní infuze MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plíce patofyziologie   MeSH
• plicní emfyzém farmakoterapie   etiologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• dopisy MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alfa-1-antitrypsin MeSH