All of our factsheets have been reviewed by members of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) who are experts in the field. These are freely available to download in a range of European languages.

Author
This factsheet was prepared by the ELF office with assistance from M. Luisetti and B. Balbi.

Information sources

The factsheet was based on the following article by M. Luisetti: Diagnosis and management of α1-antitrypsin deficiency. Breathe 2007; volume 4: pages 38–46.

Interesting links

An article entitled ‘Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency’ published in ERM 2005.
This can be found at www.ERS-education.org

The Alpha One International Registry
The registry is an international research organisation covering 16 countries, mostly in Europe. Centres in the countries pool information about AAT deficiency in order to improve the progress of research.
www.aatregistry.org

ATS/ERS Statement: Standards for the diagnosis and management of individuals with AAT deficiency
This document spells out the way in which doctors should recognise and treat AAT deficiency.
www.thoracic.org/sections/publications/statements/pages/respiratory-disease-adults/alpha1.html

Patient support groups

Alfa Europe
Alfa Europe is an alliance of groups in 11 countries devoted to improving the lives of people with AAT deficiency.
www.alfaeurope.org

Alpha-1 Foundation
The foundation is a US organisation that provides resources for patients, doctors and scientists.
www.alphaone.org

Please see below for the full range of doctor approved factsheets.

Bird flu	The normal lung
Pulmonary arterial hypertension	Sleep apnoea
Diet and the lungs	Indoor air pollution
Outdoor air pollution	Dirty air and the lungs
Pneumonia	Work-related lung diseases
Asbestos-related lung diseases	Alpha 1-anti trypsin deficiency
Dirty air indoors and your lungs	Spirometry
Rare and 'orphan' lung diseases	Allergic rhinitis or “hayfever”
Climate change and the lungs	Tuberculosis
Smoking and the lungs	Living well with COPD
Asthma and infection	Acute Bronchitis
MDR-TB