BackgroundThe Spanish registry of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency integrated in the European alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency research collaboration (EARCO) provides information about the characteristics of patients, in particular those with the PI*SZ genotype, which is frequent in Spain.MethodIndividuals with severe AATD defined as proteinase inhibitor (PI) genotypes PI*ZZ, PI*SZ and other rare deficient variants were included from February 1st, 2020, to February 1st, 2022. The analysis focuses on the comparison of the characteristics of Pi*ZZ and Pi*SZ participants.Results409 individuals were included, 53.8% were men, mean age of 53.5 years (standard deviation (sd): 15.9). Genotypes were PI*ZZ in 181 (44.7%), PI*SZ in 163 (40.2%), PI*SS in 29 (7.2%) and others in 32 (7.9%). 271 (67.4%) had lung disease; 175 COPD (43.5%), 163 emphysema (40.5%) and 83 bronchiectasis (20.6%). Individuals with the PI*SZ genotype were younger, more frequently non-index cases and had a lower frequency of respiratory diseases except asthma compared with PI*ZZ. Among patients with respiratory diseases, PI*SZ individuals were significantly older both at onset of symptoms and at diagnosis, only asthma was more frequent in PI*SZ than in PI*ZZ subjects. Twelve (15.4%) PI*SZ patients received augmentation therapy compared with 94 (66.2%) with PI*ZZ (p<0.001).ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of PI*SZ in Spain. Patients with the PI*SZ genotype were older at symptom onset and diagnosis and had less severe lung disease compared with PI*ZZ. The prevalence of asthma was higher in PI*SZ, and up to 15% of PI*SZ patients received augmentation therapy.
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