scholarly journals eHealth for patients with rare diseases: the eHealth Working Group of the European Reference Network on Rare Multisystemic Vascular Diseases (VASCERN)

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Paglialonga ◽  
Raffaella Gaetano ◽  
Leema Robert ◽  
Marine Hurard ◽  
Luisa Maria Botella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rare Diseases ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Vascular Diseases ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Reference Network ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Patient Organizations ◽  
European Reference Network ◽  
Strategic Assets

Abstract Background The European Reference Network on Rare Multisystemic Vascular Diseases (VASCERN) was launched in 2017 and involves, to date, 35 highly specialised multidisciplinary expert centres (from the 30 full Healthcare Provider members) coming from 11 countries and more than 70 patient organizations from 16 countries. The eHealth Working Group (WG) of VASCERN was set up to develop practical, patient-centred solutions and strategies for effective use of eHealth tools to answer the needs of patients with multisystemic vascular rare diseases. The eHealth WG Following the identified patients’ needs and following the guiding principles of collaboration and patient-centredness, the eHealth WG was created with the following aims: to develop a mobile app to help patients find expert centres and patient organizations, and to develop resources (Pills of Knowledge, PoK) for training and education via digital platforms (eLearning). The mobile app includes, to date, functionalities that allow users to find expert centres and patient organizations across Europe in the area of rare multisystemic vascular diseases. Discussed app developments include personalized digital patient passports, educational material, emergency management guidelines and remote consultations. Regarding training and education, a variety of PoK have been developed. The PoK cover several topics, target several user groups, and are delivered in various formats so that they are easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, informative, and viable for delivery and sharing through digital platforms (eLearning) including, e.g., the VASCERN YouTube™ channel. Conclusion Overall, the work carried out by the eHealth WG of VASCERN can be seen as a pilot experience that may serve as a basis to for collaborative development of patient-centred eHealth tools that answer the needs of patients with various rare diseases, not limited to rare multisystemic vascular diseases. By expanding the multidisciplinary approach here described, clinical and research networks can take advantage of eHealth services and use them as strategic assets in achieving the ultimate goal of ensuring equity of access to prevention programs, timely and accurate diagnosis and specialized care for patients with rare diseases throughout Europe.

scholarly journals Rare diseases under different levels of economic analysis: current activities, challenges and perspectives

RMD Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. e000794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Cannizzo ◽  
Valentina Lorenzoni ◽  
Ilaria Palla ◽  
Salvatore Pirri ◽  
Leopoldo Trieste ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rare Diseases ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Orphan Drugs ◽  
Preliminary Review ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
Reference Network ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
European Reference Network ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
Different Levels

Rare diseases imply clinical and economic burden as well as a significant challenge for health systems. One relevant objective of the activities planned within the European Reference Network on Rare and Complex Connective Tissue and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ERN ReCONNET) is to address the economic dimensions of rare diseases to identify, develop and suggest strategies to improve research and patients’ access to orphan drugs (ODs) and highly specialised health technologies. This paper presents a preliminary review of the existing policies on rare diseases in the countries of the Network members. It also introduces and discusses the theme of how to perform health economic evaluations of rare diseases and of existing or new treatments for rare diseases. To obtain a preliminary overview aiming at defining the state of the art of rare diseases policies and initiatives in ERN ReCONNET countries, we collected and analysed the rare diseases national plans of all the eight countries of the ERN ReCONNET participants. The preliminary overview that has been performed showed that in all the ERN ReCONNET countries are in place national plans for rare diseases; however, heterogeneity exists in the reimbursement of ODs, direct provision by the healthcare system, involvement of patients’ associations in decision making and implementation of clinical practice guidelines.

scholarly journals A retrospective cohort study on European Reference Network for Rare Vascular Diseases 5 outcome measures for Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia in Denmark

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Troels Hvelplund ◽  
Bibi Lange ◽  
Susanne Djernes Bird ◽  
Malene Korsholm ◽  
Anette Kjeldsen
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Vascular Diseases ◽  
Reference Network ◽  
Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Autosomal Dominant Disorder ◽  
European Reference Network

Abstract Background Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by several clinical symptoms including epistaxis, arteriovenous malformations (AVM), and telangiectasia. In 2018, European Reference Network for Rare Vascular Diseases (VASCERN) recommended five outcome measures for HHT-patients to guide health care providers, some with limited experience in treating HHT, and thereby maximizing the number of HHT-patients receiving good care. The outcome measures cover the following aspects: 1) 90% of the patients should receive a pulmonary AVM (PAVM) screening; 2) 90% of the patients should receive written advice on nosebleed; 3) 70% should be assessed for iron deficiency; 4) 100% of the patients should receive written advice on antibiotic (AB) prophylaxis prior to dental and surgical procedures, and; 5) 100% of relevant patients should receive written advice on pregnancy. We have introduced the outcome measures as Benchmarks in our HHT-centre and wanted to evaluate the extend of implementation we have achieved. We constantly struggle to secure the best possible treatment of our HHT-patients.Methods The study was a non-interventional retrospective study. All data was collected from medical journals and from the Danish HHT-database. Results A total of 180 HHT-patients were included, all diagnosed in the period from January 1st 2016 to December 31st 2020. All patients were screened for PAVM. We could confirm that 66% of patients who had epistaxis received thoroughly advice. Assessment for iron deficiency was performed in 80 % of the adult patients. Thoroughly advice on antibiotic prophylaxis was documented in 75%. Thoroughly advice on pregnancy was documented in 80% of female patients 15-45 years of age. There were no significant differences over time for any of the outcome measures. Conclusions The Danish HHT-centre reached the target threshold for outcome measures 1 and 3. We could not document reaching the target thresholds for outcome measures 2, 4, and 5. As information and education is a very important part of HHT care, we will focus on and document that all patients receive the relevant advice and as part of our care, we will in the near future implement an electronic solution with advice for HHT patients.

scholarly journals A retrospective cohort study on European Reference Network for Rare Vascular Diseases 5 outcome measures for Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia in Denmark

2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Troels Hvelplund ◽  
Bibi Lange ◽  
Susanne Djernes Bird ◽  
Malene Korsholm ◽  
Anette Drøhse Kjeldsen
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Vascular Diseases ◽  
Reference Network ◽  
Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Autosomal Dominant Disorder ◽  
European Reference Network

Abstract Background Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by several clinical symptoms including epistaxis, arteriovenous malformations (AVM), and telangiectasia. In 2018, European Reference Network for Rare Vascular Diseases (VASCERN) recommended five outcome measures for HHT-patients to guide health care providers, some with limited experience in treating HHT, and thereby maximizing the number of HHT-patients receiving good care. The outcome measures cover the following aspects: (1) 90% of the patients should receive a pulmonary AVM (PAVM) screening; (2) 90% of the patients should receive written advice on nosebleed; (3) 70% should be assessed for iron deficiency; (4) 100% of the patients should receive written advice on antibiotic (AB) prophylaxis prior to dental and surgical procedures, and (5) 100% of relevant patients should receive written advice on pregnancy. We have introduced the outcome measures as Benchmarks in our HHT-centre and wanted to evaluate the extend of implementation we have achieved. We constantly struggle to secure the best possible treatment of our HHT-patients. Methods The study was a non-interventional retrospective study. Data was collected manually from patient records and from the Danish HHT-database. Results A total of 180 HHT-patients were included, all diagnosed in the period from January 1st, 2016, to December 31st, 2020. All patients were screened for PAVM. We could confirm that 66% of patients who had epistaxis received thoroughly advice. Assessment for iron deficiency was performed in 80% of the adult patients. Thoroughly advice on AB prophylaxis was documented in 75%. Thoroughly advice on pregnancy was documented in 80% of female patients 15–45 years of age. There were no significant differences over time for any of the outcome measures. Conclusions The Danish HHT-centre reached the target threshold for outcome measures 1 and 3. It could not be documented that the target thresholds for outcome measures 2, 4, and 5 were achieved. As information and education are a very important part of HHT care, focus on and documentation that all patients receive the relevant advice must be a priority in order to ensure best care.

scholarly journals Share your rare with care: a patient corner for the European Reference Networks on Rare Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Rubba ◽  
E Montella ◽  
I Carannante ◽  
M C Trummolo ◽  
A Simeone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rare Disease ◽  
Rare Diseases ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Orphan Drugs ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Reference Network ◽  
Disease Heterogeneity ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
European Reference Network ◽  
Coding Systems

Abstract Background The European Reference Network on Rare Disease (ERN) is focused on providing more equitable care across Europe and creates a network of both medical specialists and patient experts. One relevant objective of the activities planned into the ERNs is to address the economic dimensions of rare diseases in order to develop strategies to improve research and patients' access to orphan drugs (ODs) and highly specialized health technologies. The themes built in these preliminary years were directed toward guidelines and policies concerning reimbursement of ODs and direct provision by the healthcare system. Methods to proceed further in humanization of care we establish involvement of patients' associations in decision making and implementation of clinical practice guidelines. We built in Federico II University Hospital where 12 ERN were aligned a front office corner shared between patients association and hospital direction in order to face the patient difficulties along the pathway. The corner is open three times a week on the morning, with a dedicated phone number. Results Main issues regarded the understanding of the disease and the diagnosis (ie, lack of familiarity with the rare disease, disease heterogeneity, lack of established diagnostic criteria, misdiagnosis,) the development of effective treatments and the need for efficacy along the path way of care (ie, geographical limitations, disease coding systems, ethical and privacy issues). Fewer concerns were about the equity of access and other social pressures. Conclusions In general, in ERN context, few people declared to work in human and social issues, including research on patient's quality of life, patient's awareness, or methods for social support. Our findings demonstrated that Patients were positively affected from the corner initiative: this may ameliorate the use of infrastructures offering services, also that rarely known as national and international biobanking platforms, registries and networks. Key messages Humanization of care issues and strategies are nowadays mandatory in rare diseases. Patients are positively affected from shared initiatives.

scholarly journals European reference network for rare vascular diseases (VASCERN) consensus statement for the screening and management of patients with pathogenic ACTA2 variants

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid M. B. H. van de Laar ◽  
Eloisa Arbustini ◽  
Bart Loeys ◽  
Erik Björck ◽  
Lise Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Consensus Statement ◽  
Vascular Diseases ◽  
Aortic Disease ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Reference Network ◽  
Multicenter Studies ◽  
Pathogenic Variants ◽  
European Reference Network

AbstractThe ACTA2 gene encodes for smooth muscle specific α-actin, a critical component of the contractile apparatus of the vascular smooth muscle cell. Pathogenic variants in the ACTA2 gene are the most frequently encountered genetic cause of non-syndromic hereditary thoracic aortic disease (HTAD). Although thoracic aortic aneurysm and/or dissection is the main clinical manifestation, a variety of occlusive vascular disease and extravascular manifestations occur in ACTA2-related vasculopathy. Current data suggest possible mutation-specific manifestations of vascular and extra-aortic traits.Despite its relatively high prevalence, comprehensive recommendations on the care of patients and families with pathogenic variants in ACTA2 have not yet been established. We aimed to develop a consensus document to provide medical guidance for health care professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients and relatives with pathogenic variants in ACTA2.The HTAD Working Group of the European Reference Network for Rare Vascular Diseases (VASCERN) convened to review current literature and discuss expert opinions on clinical management of ACTA2 related vasculopathy. This consensus statement summarizes our recommendations on diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, pregnancy, genetic counselling and testing in patients with ACTA2-related vasculopathy. However, there is a clear need for additional prospective multicenter studies to further define proper guidelines.

scholarly journals Current Legislation and Recommended Procedures / Tvorba národného plánu starostlivosti o pacientov so zriedkavými chorobami, súčasná legislatíva a odporúčané postupy

2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplementum-VIII) ◽  
pp. 6-9
Author(s):  
F. Cisarik
Keyword(s):  
Rare Disease ◽  
Rare Diseases ◽  
Reference Network ◽  
National Plan ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
European Reference Network ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Centres Of Expertise

The author elaborates on the requirements for the creation of a national plan for rare disease on the basis of three fundamental parts of the problem: Centres of expertise - European reference network - European registers of rare diseases. He presents some positive examples of the latest developments and points out the difficulties of creation of registers of rare diseases in Europe, as well as in the SR. He emphasizes the role and engagement of the Ministry of Health in the implementation of partial tasks in the process of creation of the national plan and stresses the need to concentrate on a small number of fundamental tasks.

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