Can HAE be Identified and Diagnosed Earlier if a Complement 4 Level is Done on All Patients Presenting with Acute Angioedema

Abstract

RATIONALE: Hereditary angioedema is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder that accounts for approximately 2% of clinical angioedema cases with an estimated prevalence of 1 per 50,000. The average timeframe between presentation of symptoms and diagnosis of HAE is 9 years. This period of time has a potential of being reduced if more attention to screening for HAE is emphasized with primary care physicians with acute cases of angioedema. This will identify HAE patients quicker leading to a better quality of life for patients and practice guidelines for physicians.