A 4-year prospective evaluation of protocols to improve clinical outcomes for patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis in a national clinical centre

Thorax. 2015 Dec;70(12):1202-4. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2015-207171. Epub 2015 Jun 29.

Abstract

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare multisystem disease. Progressive airflow limitation, pneumothorax and angiomyolipoma-related bleeding are major morbidities. As treatments are available for these complications, we prospectively audited loss of FEV1 (ΔFEV1), pneumothorax and angiomyolipoma bleeding against clinical standards over 4 years at the UK Clinical Centre. ΔFEV1 for these patients is lower than previously reported and rates of pneumothorax and angiomyolipoma haemorrhage are low. This suggests that real-time analysis of clinical data with targeted interventions can reduce morbidity in LAM. These measures could be applied as quality standards to compare the emerging LAM clinical networks worldwide.

Keywords: Rare lung diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Protocols*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / epidemiology
  • Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / physiopathology
  • Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / therapy*
  • Pneumothorax / epidemiology
  • Prognosis
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases