1-antitrypsin deficiency: a report from the 2nd meeting of the Alpha One International Registry, Rapallo (Genoa, Italy), 2001

Abstract

The Alpha One International Registry is a scientific foundation established to comply with a World Health Organization recommendation to develop a multinational registry of α₁-antitrypsin deficiency, with the aim of creating a common database of subjects recognised in a standardised way. A commitment of the Alpha One International Registry members, belonging to 15 national registries, is to meet every 2 yrs in an open scientific conference to provide a scientific and clinical update on the deficiency. The second Alpha One International Registry meeting was held in Rapallo (Genoa, Italy) on September 27th–28th, 2001, and 26 speakers provided an exhaustive overview of all aspects of α₁-antitrypsin deficiency, including epidemiology, genetics, biochemistry, associated conditions, established and novel therapeutic options, and markers of efficacy. In the framework of a rare and often under-recognised condition, this meeting is likely to be central to improving understanding and increasing awareness of α₁-antitrypsin deficiency.