COPD and Alpha-1

• Considering Alpha-1 Testing
• Newly Diagnosed with Alpha-1
• Living With Alpha-1

Alpha-1 Symptom Checker

Find out if you are at risk and get personalized results with our symptom checker.

 

When Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) * occurs, it is commonly misdiagnosed as Asthma, Allergies, Bronchiectasis, Emphysema, and/or COPD because all of these lung diseases have similar symptoms.¹

*Also known as AATD, A₁-PI deficiency, alpha-1 antiprotease deficiency, A1AD, or hereditary or genetic emphysema.

What is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a broad term used to describe a group of pulmonary diseases with airflow limitation or the inability to move air out of the lungs. It may feel as if you can't get air in, but in fact, air is trapped in the lungs. This could be due to problems with the lung tissue itself (emphysema) or problems in the airways, such as excessive mucus build-up or spasms in the muscles surrounding the airways (asthma, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis).²

Testing for Alpha-1 is essential

It is important to consider Alpha-1 in all patients with lung disease. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial because specific therapy is available for people with Alpha-1.

While nearly 60,000 to 100,000 men and women in the United States may suffer from Alpha-1^3,4, it remains an under-recognized disease. Up to 95% of people with Alpha-1 have not been correctly diagnosed^5,6. Worse yet, delays of years can occur between the onset of symptoms and the delivery of the correct diagnosis.⁷

Testing for Alpha-1 is recommended when you have symptoms of Alpha-1 or if a family member has been diagnosed with Alpha-1. Use our convenient interactive symptom checker to see if you might be at risk, and bring your results with you when you see your doctor. We also recommend viewing our section on preparing for a doctor's visit so you arrive fully prepared.

We also offer the AlphaTest® Kit. Your physician can request this complimentary kit, which makes testing for Alpha-1 as easy as a simple finger-stick blood test.

1. American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Statement: Standards for the diagnosis and management of individuals with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003;168:818-900.
2. American Lung Association. Available at: http://www.lungusa.org/site/c.dvLUK9O0E/b.33316/ (Accessed August 12, 2008).
3. de Serres, F.J., et al. Genetic epidemiology of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in North America and Australia/New Zealand: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States of America. Clin Genet. 2003:64(5):382-97.
4. American Lung Association. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency emphysema. Available at http://www.lungusa.org/site/c.dvLUK9O0E/b.4061173/apps/s/content.asp?ct=3004003 (Accessed August 18, 2008)
5. Wencker M. Screening for alpha1-Pi deficiency in patients with lung diseases. Respir Med. 2000;94(suppl C):S16-S17.
6. de Serres, F.J. Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency is not a rare disease but a disease that is rarely diagnosed. Environ Health Persp. 2003;111(16):1851-1854.
7. World Health Organization. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: memorandum from a WHO meeting. 1997. Bull World Health Organ 1997;75:397-415.