Treatment of HAE Attacks in the Icatibant Outcome Survey: An Analysis of Icatibant Self-Administration versus Administration by Health Care Professionals

Background: Icatibant, a selective bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist for the treatment of acute hereditary angio-oedema (HAE) attacks in adults, can be administered by health care professionals (HCPs) or self-administered. This analysis compared characteristics and outcomes of acute HAE attacks treated with self-administered and HCP-administered icatibant in a real-world setting. Methods: The Icatibant Outcome Survey (Shire, Zug, Switzerland; NCT01034969) is an international observational study monitoring the safety and effectiveness of icatibant treatment. Descriptive retrospective analyses were performed (February 2008 to December 2012). Results: Icatibant was used in 652 attacks in 170 patients with HAE type I/II. Most icatibant injections were self-administered (431/652, 68.5%). The proportion of self-treated attacks increased over time (40.3% in 2009 vs. 89.7% in 2012). The median time to administration was significantly shorter in self-versus HCP-treated attacks (1.5 vs. 2.4 h; p = 0.016). Earlier treatment (