Huntington’s disease (HD) chorea progressively limits patients’ lives1
Treating HD chorea early can help make a difference
According to a real-world study, HD patients with chorea required self-care and mobility assistance across many areas of daily life, including2:
Getting dressed/
washed
Shopping
Use of a cane/
walking stick
Mobility support from friends and family
99% of patients with HD chorea required assistance with self-care activities2
In a survey conducted by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA), carepartners cited chorea as the most impactful symptom of HD3
Most patients and carepartners state that it is “very important” to manage chorea; their concerns include loss of independence, unpredictability/uncontrollability, and impact on family life.
No clinical trials have been conducted to demonstrate that treating HD chorea affects the outcomes listed above.
Management of chorea may be met with many challenges
There are a limited number of FDA-approved treatment options available for Huntington’s disease chorea.4,5
Limitations of tolerability4,5
- Medications may have dose-limiting side effects
- Treatment of chorea should be determined individually as a balance of chorea reduction and
medication tolerability
Severity of chorea5
- Chorea severity may vary over the course of the disease
Prevalence of depression and suicidality in Huntington's disease
- The lifetime prevalence of major depression in people with HD is about 40%6
- Suicide rates range from approximately 5% to 13%7
- 25% of patients attempt suicide8
Concomitant medications6
- Some prescription medications may worsen voluntary motor control
Watch as Eileen discusses how HD chorea has impacted her life, and in particular, her work
For more videos, visit the YouTube page.
For more videos, visit the YouTube page.
REFERENCES: 1. Roos RAC. Huntington’s disease: a clinical review. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2010;5:40. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-5-40 2. Claassen DO, DeCourcy J, Mellor J, Johnston C, Iyer RG. Impact of chorea on self-care activity, employment, and health-care resource use in patients with Huntington’s disease. J Health Econ Outcomes Res. 2021;8(1):99-105. 3. Simpson JA, Lovecky D, Kogan J, Vetter LA, Yohrling GJ. Survey of the Huntington’s disease patient and caregiver community reveals most impactful symptoms and treatment needs. J Huntingtons Dis. 2016;5(4):395-403. 4. AUSTEDO® XR (deutetrabenazine) extended-release tablets and AUSTEDO® current Prescribing Information. Parsippany, NJ: Teva Neuroscience, Inc. 5. Burgess JC, Davis B, Fogarty E, et al. Caregiver Guide for Mid to Late Stage Huntington Disease: For Long-Term Care Facilities and In-Home Care Agencies. Huntington Disease Society of America; 2014. 6. Nance M, Paulsen JS, Rosenblatt A, Wheelock V. A Physician’s Guide to the Management of Huntington’s Disease. 3rd ed. Huntington’s Disease Society of America; 2011 7. Wetzel HH, Gehl CR, Dellefave-Castillo L, et al. Suicidal ideation in Huntington disease: the role of comorbidity. Psychiatry Res. 2011;188(3):372-376. 8. Killoran A, Biglan KM. Current therapeutic options for Huntington’s disease: good clinical practice versus evidence-based approaches? Mov Disord. 2014;29(11):1404-1413. 9. Data on file. Parsippany, NJ: Teva Neuroscience, Inc.