Evaluating the impact of peer support and connection on the quality of life of patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome

Background: Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a disease caused by impaired lipoprotein lipase function and characterized by chylomicronemia, reduced quality of life (QoL) and risk of pancreatitis. The aim of the current study is to assess if QoL can be improved by patients being connected to other patients. Methods: Respondents (N = 50) categorized into 3 groups (actively connected, passively connected and non-connected) self-reported their current or comparative assessments of QoL before and after connection with FCS-focused support organizations using a customized retrospective web-based survey. Results: Connected respondents showed significantly improved perceptions of overall health, disease severity, motivation to take care of health and emotional well-being (p 0.05). Any level of connection produced noticeable benefits, but active connection in the form of regular interaction with other patients reported the greatest improvements. Additionally, respondents reported higher levels of satisfaction with their primary treating physician after being connected. The majority of patients (62%) reported joining support groups following referrals from their physicians. Conclusions: Similar to other disease states, connecting with other patients with FCS had a positive impact on aspects of quality of life. Physicians may play a central role in referring their patients with FCS to support groups.