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In a woman whose severe hypoparathyroidism did not respond to standard treatment, constant infusion of a lab-engineered form of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) eliminated symptoms and improved her quality of life, a case study from Portugal reports. This medication, called Forsteo (teriparatide) and marketed in the U.S. as…
Participation in clinical trials exposes rare disease patients to financial, physical, and emotional pressures, according to the results of a patient focus group series. “Rare disease trial participants are running an endurance race they are highly motivated to complete, but these incremental burdens negatively impact their ability or willingness to…
The National Organization for Rare Disorders, known as NORD, was named an official charity partner of the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon, which will be held Nov. 7 both in-person and online. “Supporting charitable causes and organizations are a long-standing tradition of the TCS New York City…
The National Alliance for Caregiving, in partnership with Global Genes, has issued a free guidebook, available online, that offers resources and support for caregivers of children with rare diseases. “The Circle of Care Guidebook for Caregivers of Children With Rare and/or Serious Illnesses” was designed…
Four new mutations of the AIRE gene were identified for the first time in Chinese patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS1), a case series reports. The report also presents a thorough evaluation of the clinical and genetic characteristics of Chinese APS1 patients and some rarely observed symptoms.
Low levels of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) soon after a thyroidectomy is linked to a greater risk of chronic hypoparathyroidism, or that lasting more than six months, a study reported. Its findings suggest that blood tests to measure PTH levels may allow doctors to discharge sooner patients who are at low…
Registration is now open for Global Genes‘ 2021 RARE Patient Advocacy Summit. This year’s hybrid event will be livestreamed from California Sept. 27-29, and some seats also are available for attending the event in person in San Diego. “Here you’ll have the opportunity to connect and engage with others…
Typically, it takes nearly three months before people newly diagnosed with chronic, post-surgical hypoparathyroidism arrive at a stable dose of calcium and vitamin D supplements, a study reported, rather than several weeks. But many patients in this study also experienced abnormally high or low calcium levels even after a stable dose…
Registration is now open for the 2021 Rare Diseases and Orphan Products Breakthrough Summit, which will be held virtually Oct. 18–19. The event, also known as the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Summit, brings the rare disease community together to network and discuss developments in treatments and research…
Assessing parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in children after surgery to remove the thyroid gland, and beginning preventive therapy to those at high risk of hypocalcemia, increased safety and shorted their hospital stay, a study reported. Hypocalcemia, or potentially harmful low calcium levels, is a frequent complication of surgery to remove…
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