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A Deeper Dive Into Unexplained Abdominal Pain: Facilitating the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Hepatic Porphyria in the Gastroenterology Setting



Program Overview
 Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) is a group of rare inherited diseases with variable, non-specific, and dynamic symptoms and associated with an average diagnostic delay of 15 years. During that time, patients experience hallucinations, dreadful pain, seizures, and frequent hospitalizations. This activity will educate gastroenterologists and other healthcare providers on the hallmark signs of AHP, strategies for differential diagnosis, and current management options for improving patient outcomes.

Target Audience
This initiative is intended for gastroenterologists, physicians, nurses, physician assistants and other healthcare professionals assessing patients in the gastroenterology setting.

Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, the learner should be able to:

  • Explain the etiology and pathophysiology of severe abdominal pain related to AHP
  • Identify signs and symptoms suggestive of AHP among individuals presenting with severe abdominal pain
  • Define strategies to differentially diagnose AHP from other gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI conditions
  • Assess treatment and management options for AHP, including disease-specific therapies
  • Propose interdisciplinary strategies to individualize clinical management of AHP in the gastroenterology setting

AGENDA
  • Introduction
  • Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of AHP in Patients
  • Strategies for Screening AHP and Reaching a Differential Diagnosis
  • Improving AHP Patient Care: Focusing on Disease-Specific Therapy
  • Q&A

Karl E. Anderson, MD, FACP
 Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine (Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology) and Preventive Medicine and Population Health
Director, Clinical Science Graduate Program
Director, Porphyria Laboratory and Center
Member, Institute for Translational Sciences
University of Texas Medical Branch/UTMB Health
Galveston, TX

D. Montgomery Bissell, MD
 Professor of Medicine, Emeritus
Department of Medicine
Director Emeritus, UCSF Liver Center
San Francisco, CA

Herbert Lloyd Bonkovsky, MD
 Professor of Medicine and Molecular Medicine and Translational Research and Director of the Liver and Metabolic Disorders Laboratory
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Winston Salem, NC


Disclosure
It is the policy of AKH Inc. to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in all of its continuing education activities. The author must disclose to the participants any significant relationships with ineligible companies whose products or devices may be mentioned in the activity or with the commercial supporter of this continuing education activity. Identified conflicts of interest are mitigated by AKH prior to accreditation of the activity. AKH planners and reviewers have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS
 Certificates of completion will be awarded based on the participant’s attendance and submission of the activity evaluation/claim credit form. You must participate in the entire activity to receive credit. There is no fee to participate in this activity. If you have questions about this activity, please contact AKH Inc. at tbrignoni@akhcme.com.

Credit provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare

 In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare and Catalyst Medical Education, LLC. AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians
 AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physician Assistants
AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Nurses
1.5 ANCC contact hours

Provider Information
 This program is jointly provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare and Catalyst Medical Education, LLC

Commercial Support:
 This activity is supported by an educational grant from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Disclaimer
 This course is designed solely to provide the healthcare professional with information to assist in his/her practice and professional development and is not to be considered a diagnostic tool to replace professional advice or treatment. The course serves as a general guide to the healthcare professional, and therefore, cannot be considered as giving legal, nursing, medical, or other professional advice in specific cases. AKH Inc. specifically disclaim responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use and Investigational Product
 This educational activity may include discussion of uses of agents that are investigational and/or unapproved by the FDA. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

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