Consistent, unexplained stomach pain is a common complaint seen by doctors. Due to its rarity, hereditary angioedema (HAE) is sometimes overlooked in the diagnostic process, especially in patients who only present with abdominal symptoms and no skin swelling. Up to 80% of people with HAE report experiencing stomach discomfort, and up to 93% of people with HAE experience abdominal pain at some point throughout their illness. Abscess pain was the only symptom in 49% of HAE incidents involving the abdomen. Additionally, HAE patients frequently have the following stomach symptoms: distension, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. From 6 to 23 years pass on average between the 1st signs of the disease and a diagnosis. Patients with HAE who come with major gastrointestinal symptoms are less likely to be diagnosed promptly, leading to unneeded or exploratory surgeries or treatments and the risk of consequences. Patients with resolving stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea between episodes should have HAE examined in the differential diagnosis. Because of the availability of highly effective targeted medicines for HAE, the morbidity and mortality of patients who present with solitary abdominal pain may be greatly reduced if HAE were properly diagnosed and treated.
Source: journals.lww.com/jcge/Fulltext/2022/10000/Consider_Hereditary_Angioedema_in_the_Differential.5.aspx
