Acute intermittent porphyria
Overview
What is acute intermittent porphyria?
Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a condition that can cause sudden, severe attacks of stomach pain that may last for a days to weeks. It is called a 'porphyria' because substances called porphyrins build up in the body and can cause the symptoms. Porphyrins are normally used by the body to help cells use oxygen. In AIP, people may also experience mental changes in attacks of acute intermittent porphyria that can include insomnia or difficulty sleeping, anxiety, depression, hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, and amnesia or memory loss.
To understand more about AIP from someone who has the condition, watch this video from the American Porphyria Foundation.
References
- Introduction to porphyria. European Porphyria Network. (http://porphyria.eu/en/content/introduction-porphyria)
More Overview Content
Are there other names for acute intermittent porphyria?
How common is acute intermittent porphyria?
What is the usual abbreviation for acute intermittent porphyria?
Are there different types of acute intermittent porphyria?
Are there other names for acute intermittent porphyria?
Acute intermittent porphyria is also known as 'Porphobilinogen Deaminase Deficiency' and 'PBGD Deficiency'. These other names refer to the enzyme that is decreased in people with acute intermittent porphyria.
References
- Acute Intermittent Porphyria. Gene Reviews. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1193/)
How common is acute intermittent porphyria?
In most places, acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is the most common of the acute hepatic porphyrias, which is a group of conditions with similar symptoms to AIP. In Europe (excluding Sweden), AIP occurs in about 0.13 in 1 million people per year. In Sweden, the rates are about 4 times higher. The number of people with latent AIP may be underestimated.
References
- Acute Intermittent Porphyria. Gene Reviews. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1193/)
- PORPHYRIA, ACUTE INTERMITTENT; AIP. OMIM(http://www.omim.org/entry/176000)
What is the usual abbreviation for acute intermittent porphyria?
Acute intermittent porphyria is usually abbreviated to AIP.
References
- Acute Intermittent Porphyria. Gene Reviews. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1193)
Are there different types of acute intermittent porphyria?
Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) can be divided into two types. Clinically manifesting or overt AIP happens in people who are currently showing symptoms of AIP or who just had an acute attack. Latent or presymptomatic AIP happens in people who have never had symptoms of AIP. Some people with the latent form may never have acute attacks.
References
- Acute Intermittent Porphyria. Gene Reviews. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1193/)
- PORPHYRIA, ACUTE INTERMITTENT; AIP. OMIM(http://www.omim.org/entry/176000)
