Case of newly diagnosed primary immunodeficiency at age 65

Low awareness of doctors of various specialties about such an initial defect in immunity as hereditary angioedema leads to poor detection of this disease, as a result of which patients often receive ineffective drugs for a long time and are at risk of developing life-threatening complications.

A clinical case was presented of a patient whose diagnosis of hereditary angioedema was first established at the age of 65 despite a long history of edema. There were no urticarial rashes. For edema for 3 years, the patient took Loratadine, systemic glucocorticosteroids were repeatedly administered. In addition, for many years she was worried about abdominal syndrome with an episode rate of up to several times a week, for the purpose of stopping which she used Tempalgin. There is a burdened family history of angioedema. This hospitalization was due to the development of edema of the lower lip and left cheek, the appearance of which is associated with a bite of the inner side of the cheek in sleep, there was no effect from the use of systemic glucocorticosteroids and antihistamines. The examination revealed a decrease in both the amount and functional activity of the C1-inhibitor, thus, hereditary angioedema of type I was diagnosed. Genetic examination revealed a previously undescribed variant of mutations in the SERPING1 gene.

The pathogenesis of edema in hereditary angioedema is due to the accumulation of bradykinin, therefore, the use of glucocorticosteroids and antihistamines is ineffective. Currently, there are modern highly effective and safe means, both for stopping and for the prevention of such edema.

It is important to inform specialists of various profiles about this disease and the principles of its therapy.