Experts divided on alpha 1-antitrypsin augmentation therapy
Thoracic Society panel makes conditional recommendation after eight members were in favour, five were against and four abstained
An expert working group is divided over recommendations for augmentation therapy for people with lung disease caused by deficiency of the alpha 1-antitrypsin protein (AAT).
The group, convened by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, failed to reach consensus for a position statement on diagnosis and management of the condition, known as alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD).
Augmentation therapy is used in the US to correct deficiency of the protein in people with the inherited disease, which typically damages the lung and liver.
The authors estimate it affects one in 2500 people in Australia and one in 5000 in New Zealand.
