Look Beyond Smoking
Alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is the #1 genetic risk factor for COPD1
Is AAT deficiency behind their COPD?
Primary care providers and other allied healthcare providers are likely to be the first point of contact for patients with COPD.2 Your role is vital to increasing identification and diagnosis of AAT deficiency, an inherited, potentially fatal condition.2-4 Genetic testing is required to detect and diagnose AAT deficiency.5,6
>90% of patients with AAT deficiency are undiagnosed2,3
AAT deficiency, also called alpha-1 or genetic COPD, is a relatively common but widely underrecognized inherited condition that increases the risk of early-onset COPD.3,6,7 AAT deficiency is a contributing cause in ~3% of the ~16 million patients with COPD in the United States.1,6,8
Follow the screening guidelines
Screening all COPD patients for AAT deficiency is recommended by 5 major clinical organizations, including the COPD Foundation and the American Thoracic Society (ATS).9-13


AlphaID™ makes screening easy, fast, and free*
AlphaID™ is an advanced genetic screening test that detects the 14 most prevalent alleles associated with AAT deficiency.14
Up Next: Alpha-1 & COPD
COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
AAT, alpha-1 antitrypsin.
References:
- Alpha-1 Foundation. Lung disease. https://www.alpha1.org/Newly-Diagnosed/Learning-about-Alpha-1/Lung-Disease. Accessed July 12, 2021.
- Lascano JE, Campos MA. The important role of primary care providers in the detection of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Postgrad Med. 2017;129(8):889-895.
- Campos MA, Wanner A, Zhang G, Sandhaus RA. Trends in the diagnosis of symptomatic patients with α1-antitrypsin deficiency between 1968 and 2003. CHEST. 2005;128(3):1179-1186.
- Campbell EJ, Campbell MA, Boukedes SS, Owen CA. Quantum proteolysis by neutrophils: implications for pulmonary emphysema in α1-antitrypsin deficiency. J Clin Invest.1999;104(3):337-344.
- Data on file, Alpha-1 Genetics Laboratory.
- Stoller JK. Myths and misconceptions about α1-antitrypsin deficiency. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(6):546-550.
- Stoller JK, Aboussouan LS. A review of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012;185(3):246-259.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. COPD National Action Plan. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/COPD-national-action-plan. Accessed July 12, 2021.
- Sandhaus RA, Turino G, Brantly ML, et al. The diagnosis and management of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in the adult. Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis. 2016;3(3):668-682.
- American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society. American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement: standards for the diagnosis and management of individuals with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003;168(7):818-900.
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Pocket guide to COPD diagnosis, management, and prevention. 2019 report. https://goldcopd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/GOLD-2019-POCKET-GUIDE-DRAFT-v1.7-14Nov2018-WMS.pdf. Accessed November 7, 2019.
- World Health Organization. α1-antitrypsin deficiency: memorandum from a WHO meeting. Bull World Health Organ.1997;75(5):397-415.
- CHEST Foundation. Learn about alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. https://foundation.chestnet.org/patient-education-resources/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency/. Accessed July 12, 2021.
- A1AT Genotyping Test package insert. Progenika Biopharma.