Niemann-Pick Type C Disease – Report on Results from the Niemann-Pick Type C Patient and Healthcare Professional Survey

Niemann-Pick type C disease (NPC) is a rare and progressive genetic condition that is associated with an abnormal accumulation of lysosomal lipids in the body, which manifests as a variety of neurological symptoms that range greatly in severity. Management focuses largely on treating symptoms, but recent developments have led to disease-specific therapy that can slow or stabilise the progression of neurological symptoms in some patients. The Niemann-Pick type C Patient and Healthcare Professional Survey conducted interviews with parents and carers of patients with NPC and with healthcare professionals to identify areas of NPC diagnosis, management and support that need improvement. Specifically, an emphasis was placed on increased awareness of the disease and disease symptoms with enhanced communication between doctors, their colleagues and parents of patients in order to facilitate the diagnostic process and the hope for earlier diagnoses, thereby enabling access to disease-specific treatment. The survey identified a need among families of patients with NPC for more support from doctors in the provision of information about the disease and about locally based social and psychological support, and for support from healthcare organisations that should coordinate all the available services. Such co-ordination could ensure that consistent support is provided for all aspects of patient care and for patients’ families and carers.