To shorten the diagnostic timeline for eosinophil-associated diseases (EADs) and improve patient access to clinical care so that these chronic conditions may be effectively managed, it is critical to elevate the awareness and understanding of the impact of EADs, and the ways in which patient care can be improved.
In May 2022, APFED participated in an international workgroup comprised of clinicians and patient advocates to author and publish a landmark Patient Charter to outline key barriers and ways in which those may be addressed.
The Charter encompasses a range of subsets of EADs, including eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, eosinophilic asthma, hypereosinophilic syndromes and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
The four principles outlined in this Charter represent the quality of care that people living with EADs must receive, as well as clear ways in which patient and caregiver burden and patient outcomes can be improved.
1. People with EADs, their caregivers, health care professionals (HCPs) and the public must have greater awareness of, and education about, EADs
2. People with EADs must receive a timely, accurate diagnosis
3. All people with EADs must have access to an appropriate, multi-disciplinary team, when necessary
4. People with EADs must have access to evidence- based care plans
We urge clinicians, healthcare systems, and policymakers around the globe to adopt these principles so that those with EADs can receive a timely, accurate diagnosis and can access quality care and treatment.
The Charter was published in the June 2022 issue of Advances in Therapy (volume 39, issue 6) and is available as open access.
Jackson DJ, Akuthota P, Andradas R, Bredenoord AJ, Cordell A, Gray S, Kullman J, Mathur SK, Pavord I, Roufosse F, Rubio C, Rusek IC, Simon D, Strobel MJ, Winders T. Improving Care in Eosinophil-Associated Diseases: A Charter. Adv Ther. 2022 Jun;39(6):2323-2341. doi: 10.1007/s12325-022-02110-8. Epub 2022 Apr 30. PMID: 35489014; PMCID: PMC9055373.