§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines there are for testing patients for Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency; [99139]
(2) how many patients are being treated for Alpha 1antitrypsin deficiency in the UK; [99138]
(3) what the most common symptoms of Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency are amongst patients in the UK. [99140]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 25 February 2002]: Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder with a prevalence of approximately one in 5,000 people. It is associated with liver disease among children and lung disease among adults between approximately 30–50. We do not hold data centrally on the number of patients being treated.
766WWhile no specific guidelines have been issued by the Department of Health, the British Thoracic Society's 1997 Thorax guidelines advised general practitioners that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) sufferers under 40 should be referred for a specialist opinion to identify an alpha-antitrypsin deficiency and to consider therapy and family screening. Alpha-antitrypsin deficiency is the most common inherited liver disease in babies and children and it is accepted clinical practice to test for this condition.
Both liver and lung disease may present with a wide variety of symptoms. The main signs are jaundice in respect of liver disease and shortness of breath and cough for lung disease.