Addressing the individualized needs in hereditary angioedema: managed care strategies to optimize access to care

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a serious, potentially fatal disease of recurrent swelling of various subcutaneous and submucosal tissues throughout the body. Swelling is mediated by uncontrolled regulation of bradykinin, making it pathologically distinct from other forms of angioedema. Diagnosis can be challenging, but distinctions in clinical presentation and laboratory studies can confirm clinical suspicion. Though the disease is rare, the socioeconomic burden of living with and treating HAE is significant for patients and healthcare systems. As a result, there has been a dramatic expansion of treatment options specifically designed for HAE in recent years. Novel treatments are effective in treating swelling attacks, preventing recurrence, and improving patient quality of life. However, significant differences in the risks, benefits, and cost of treatments must be weighed in the determination of clinical protocols to determine optimal utilization of healthcare resources.