Unrelieved symptoms in PNH
The symptoms of PNH can be different for different individuals. Some patients have PNH in a relatively mild form while others can experience severe, debilitating symptoms.1
Despite current treatments, people with PNH may still experience debilitating symptoms caused by ongoing haemolysis.
Symptoms may include:2,3
- Fatigue that interferes with everyday life
- Anaemia
- Back and abdominal pain
- Severe headache
- Thrombosis – blood clots
- Haemoglobinuria – free haemoglobin, resembling blood, in urine.
Involuntary contractions of the smooth muscle in internal organs can cause further complications such as:2,3
- Dyspnoea – difficulty breathing
- Dysphagia – difficulty swallowing
- In men, erectile dysfunction
References
- Lima M. Laboratory studies for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, with emphasis on flow cytometry. Pract Lab Med 2020;20.
- Meyers G, Weitz I, Lamy T, et al. Disease-Related Symptoms Reported across a Broad Population of Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. Blood 2007;110:3683.
- Mitchell R, Salkeld E, Chisolm S, et al. Path to Diagnosis of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria: The Results of an Exploratory Study Conducted by the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation and the National Organization for Rare Disorders Utilizing an Internet-Based Survey. SM Clin Med Oncol 2017;1:1001.
Abbreviations
PNH: Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
Job code: PP-17759 | Date of preparation: March 2023
Intended for healthcare professional only