Living with phenylketonuria in adulthood: The PKU ATTITUDE study

Publication date: September 2018Source: Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports, Volume 16Author(s): Chiara Cazzorla, Giulia Bensi, Giacomo Biasucci, Vincenzo Leuzzi, Filippo Manti, Antonella Musumeci, Francesco Papadia, Vera Stoppioni, Albina Tummolo, Marcella Vendemiale, Giulia Polo, Alberto BurlinaAbstractDietary treatment is the cornerstone of therapy for phenylketonuria (PKU), but adherence to low- phenylalanine diet progressively decreases after adolescence. We designed a survey to characterize the dietary habits of Italian adult PKU patients and to identify psychological factors influencing disease perception and adherence to diet. Participants to the survey (n = 111; response rate 94%) were asked to complete a structured questionnaire. Patients appeared to have an altered perception and awareness of the disease. About 40% of them did not consider PKU a disease and, despite declaring regular monitoring of phenylalanine levels (85%), nearly half of them reported a high plasma value over the last 6 months (>600 μmol/L, 48%) or were unable to specify it (31%). Adherence to PKU diet was unsatisfactory, with increased consumption of natural protein sources and reduced daily use of amino-acid supplements (<4–5 times/day in 82% patients). In addition to the intrinsic characteristics of AA formula (palatability, ease of use), the most important factor influencing their consumption was the increased social pressure associated with their use (55%). Plasma phenyl...
Source: Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research