experts in action

Porphyria Experts in Action

The United Porphyrias Association is proud to work closely with the porphyria experts on the UPA's Scientific Advisory Board and at the Porphyrias Consortium. 

We're pleased to introduce our Experts in Action where we'll feature:

  • Summing UP: Easy-to-understand summaries of recent and important scientific research
  • What's UP Doc? Where the experts answer your questions
  • Meet your experts and advocates: Where we get to know the people who are changing the world for porphyria
  • Special events and recordings
  • New research opportunities
  • And more....

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Summing UP: Mental Health in Porphyrias
Summing UP: Mental Health in Porphyrias
October 30, 2024

This study involved focus groups with porphyria patients to explore the emotional and psychological challenges they face. Participants discussed their lived experiences, shared coping strategies, and offered recommendations for additional support to improve their quality of life.

What's UP Doc?
What's UP Doc? Menopause and porphyria
June 20, 2024
By Dr. Karl Anderson

Question: How will menopause affect my porphyria? Are estrogen treatments for menopause safe?

Summing UP: Development and Content Validation of Novel Patient-Reported Outcome Measures to Assess Disease Severity and Change in Patients with Erythropoietic Protoporphyria: The EPP Impact Questionnaire (EPIQ)
Summing UP: The EPP Impact Questionnaire (EPIQ)
May 21, 2024

Having a standardized questionnaire tool is important for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of new treatments for EPP. Regulators like the FDA will consider improvements in quality of life, along with other factors, when deciding whether to approve new treatments. This research developed a questionnaire to evaluate the impact of EPP on health-related quality of life (HRQL) called the EPP Impact Questionnaire or EPIQ. 

Meet Craig Leppert, Shadow Jumpers Founder
Meet Craig Leppert, Shadow Jumpers Founder
April 24, 2024

"I realized that my condition with the sun was either going to define my life or become a cool addition to the story of my life."

What's UP Doc? Live- Cutaneous Porphyrias Bonus Questions
What's UP Doc? Live- Cutaneous Porphyrias Bonus Questions
March 27, 2024

Dr. Bruce Wang answers the questions about acute hepatic porphyrias that we didn't get to in the Facebook Live Q&A on February 24, 2024.

Summing UP: Evidence based consensus guidelines for diagnosis and management of erythropoietic protoporphyria and X-linked protoporphyria
Summing UP: EPP/XLP Consensus Guidelines
March 3, 2024

This article provides guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and management of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and X-linked protoporphyria (XLP).

Patient Day Feature: EPP & XLP Guidelines with Dr. Amy Dickey
Patient Day Feature: EPP & XLP Guidelines
November 28, 2023

The diagnosis and treatment of rare conditions like EPP and XLP can be confusing for doctors and patients alike. Join Dr. Amy Dickey as she walks us through the recommendations from the new consensus guidelines for diagnosing and managing protoporphyrias.

What's UP Doc?
What's UP Doc? Surgery precautions and cutaneous porphyrias
November 13, 2023
By Dr. Herbert Bonkovsky

Question: I am having a planned laparoscopic surgery next week.  Should there be a filter on the light on the laparoscope?  If so, would you be able to tell me what filter would need to be used?  Can you also tell me what filters would be needed for the surgery lights in the operating room?

Summing UP: Evidence based consensus guidelines for diagnosis and management of Protoporphyria-Related liver dysfunction
Summing UP: EPP/XLP Liver Guidelines
October 16, 2023

Liver dysfunction is a rare but very real possibility for people with EPP and XLP. These guidelines provide recommendations for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of liver-related dysfunction in protoporphyrias (EPP and XLP).

Summing UP: Light-Related Cutaneous Symptoms of EPP and Associations With Light Sensitivity
Summing UP: Light-Related Cutaneous Symptoms of EPP and Associations With Light Sensitivity
August 24, 2023

This research describes some important features of EPP including prodromal (warning) symptoms, a priming effect from previous light exposure, and lack of visible symptoms among many patients.