Patient event hosted by Grifols in Mainz: Earlier substitution therapy for alpha patients – discussion about higher doses
Author
Herbert Rude
Alpha-1 patients may be receiving substitution therapy too late. "The discussion about this has broken out," said Sebastian Fähndrich, senior physician for pulmonology at Saarland University Hospital, at a patient event hosted by the pharmaceutical company Grifols in Mainz. Currently, patients are given substitution therapy when their lung function is between 30 and 65 percent of normal. "This is now being questioned," the pulmonologist said.
„"The earlier substitution therapy is started, the greater the benefit," he said. Recent studies have clearly demonstrated that the loss of lung tissue progresses significantly more slowly in patients receiving substitution therapy. Furthermore, substitution therapy not only protects the lungs but also reduces the incidence of associated conditions such as cardiovascular problems.
But it's not just the start of substitution therapy that's currently being discussed in expert circles; the dosage is also being re-evaluated. Currently, patients are treated with 60 milligrams of substitution per kilogram of body weight per week. "There are indications that 80 milligrams are more effective," said Fähndrich.
Treatment with sprays, on the other hand, only makes sense as a supplement: "While it improves the patient's well-being, it has hardly any impact on mortality," he said. Vaccinations against influenza or pneumococcus, however, are important. These prevent so-called exacerbations, or flare-ups of the disease. "The lower the number of exacerbations, the lower the mortality rate," the senior physician explained.
He added that the Alphas themselves could also contribute to the success of the treatment: "The most important thing is to stop smoking immediately," he said. Furthermore, exercise has a positive influence on the course of the disease.
As an offering to patients, their families, and other interested parties, Christoph Zaremba from Grifols presented the AlphaCare program. The pharmaceutical company's program is available online, but participants also receive information by mail. It consists of an open section, accessible to everyone, and a closed section, accessible only to patients undergoing opioid substitution therapy. These patients also receive telephone support, including advice on managing their condition.
Using inhalers is more difficult than some might think. "If used incorrectly, most of the medication doesn't end up where it's supposed to," said Michaela Frisch from the Espan Clinic in Bad Dürrheim. With that, she opened the practical part of the event, where she demonstrated inhalation techniques with us.
