Amyloidosis from the patient perspective: the French daily impact of amyloidosis study

Abstract

Background Amyloidosis is a complex group of rare conditions. For patients, amyloidosis is severely debilitating: physically and psychologically. Currently, data are lacking to evaluate the medical, economic, and social burden of systemic amyloidosis. Objective To analyse the patient burden according to the main types of systemic amyloidosis. Methods The French Daily Impact of Amyloidosis study was an observational, cross-sectional and non-interventional study. Adults diagnosed with light chain (AL), transthyretin (ATTR), amyloid A (AA) and other rare forms of amyloidosis were eligible. Data regarding amyloidosis prevalence, diagnosis, management, and impact on everyday life were collected using a study-specific survey built by the Association Française Contre l’Amylose (AFCA) and the four French National Referral Centres for Amyloidosis. Results A total of 603 patients, predominantly male (65%) with an average age of 66.8 years, including 170 AL, 224 ATTRv, 109 ATTRwt and 25 AA amyloidosis patients, completed the study-specific survey. The median delay from presentation to confirmed diagnosis was 27.4 months but varied according to amyloidosis type. Patients before diagnosis had breathlessness (49%), tingling sensation (33%), pain (28%), difficulty in walking (28%) and weight loss (22%). Amyloidosis was most frequently suspected (49%) and confirmed (57%) in local hospitals but managed in French amyloidosis referral centres (58%). Patients often reported problems with mobility, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression, but not with self-care. Conclusions Systemic amyloidosis severely impacts daily life. The delay to confirmed amyloidosis diagnosis needs to be reduced. Early, effective treatment is required to optimise patient benefits.