The Department of Paediatrics and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, PGIMER, Chandigarh jointly celebrated the ‘International Hereditary Angioedema Day’ on 16th May by holding a virtual conference by Hereditary Angioedema Society of India (HAESI) at PGI. Angioedema is the rapid edema or swelling of the area beneath the skin or mucosa. It is normally an allergic reaction when accompanied by hives, but it can also be hereditary (non-itchy). Hereditary Angioedema is a rare disorder that affects approximately 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000 people. Patients with hereditary angioedema often present with recurrent episodes of swellings in the skin, pain abdomen and occasionally life-threatening edema of the larynx (wind pipe). Due to lack of awareness about this disease among patients and general practitioners, most patients with hereditary angioedema remain undiagnosed and untreated and sometime succumb to disease following life threatening episodes of angioedema of airways.
The e-conference included lectures on various aspects of hereditary angioedema by national /international experts and faculty of Departments of Paediatrics and Dermatology PGI; case presentations by students; personal journey and struggle of patients suffering with the disease and an open forum for patients and physicians.
Prof. Surjit Singh, Head, Department of Paediatrics, PGI, introduced the proceedings of the e-conference. Dr. Ankur Jindal, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, PGIMER and founder secretary of HAESI, elaborated in his talk about the journey of hereditary angioedema in India over last 25 years. Prof. Sunil Dogra, Professor, Department of Dermatology, PGI and founder president of HAESI officially inaugurated the website of the Hereditary Angioedema Society of India. He elaborated on the need to increase awareness about this disease amongst physicians in India as there are likely to be more than 30,000 undiagnosed patients at present in the country. He also highlighted that the society would aim to increase awareness about hereditary angioedema in the community and to bring better treatment options for patients in India.
The event was attended by more than 500 delegates across the country. Dr. Hilary Longhurst from New Zealand and Ms. Fiona Wardman from Australia were guest speakers for the conference. Dr. Hilary talked about various clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of hereditary angioedema. Ms. Fiona Wardman from Hereditary Angioedema International (HAEi) organization highlighted the activities of HAEi in improvising patient care in India.
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