ResearchPUBMEDYesterday
Researchers in Italy studied how rare diseases affect older adults. They found that thousands of people are diagnosed with rare diseases after age 65, and thousands more who were diagnosed as children or young adults are now living into old age with these conditions. This study shows that rare diseases in elderly people are becoming more common and important to understand.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you or a family member has a rare disease and are aging, this research highlights that healthcare systems need better plans to care for older patients with rare conditions—which could lead to improved treatment strategies and support services tailored to your needs.
ResearchPUBMED2 days ago
Scientists are studying a new type of medicine made from circular RNA, which is RNA shaped like a circle instead of a line. Because of their circular shape, these medicines may stay in the body longer and work better than current RNA medicines. Researchers are testing these circular RNA medicines to treat cancer, immune system diseases, and rare diseases.
WHY IT MATTERSCircular RNA therapeutics could eventually offer longer-lasting treatments for rare diseases with fewer doses needed, but patients should know that claims about safety and effectiveness vary depending on how the medicine is made—there's no one-size-fits-all answer yet.
AdvocacyRSS3 days ago
Bruce Campbell, who has Pompe disease, is competing in the Absa Cape Epic, one of the world's toughest mountain biking races. Despite living with a rare muscle disease that affects his strength and endurance, he decided to take on this extreme athletic challenge. His story shows how people with rare diseases can push their limits and achieve goals they set for themselves.
WHY IT MATTERSThis story demonstrates that people living with Pompe disease can maintain active lifestyles and pursue challenging physical goals, which may inspire patients to discuss realistic exercise options with their care team.
NewsRSS3 days ago
A patient with AATD (Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency) found personal inspiration by watching the movie Top Gun: Maverick, discovering parallels between the fighter pilot's perseverance and their own journey managing a chronic lung disease. The article explores how popular culture can provide emotional support and motivation for people living with rare diseases. This is a personal reflection piece rather than medical news.
WHY IT MATTERSFor AATD patients, finding relatable stories and sources of inspiration in everyday media can help combat the isolation and emotional burden of managing a progressive genetic lung disease.
AdvocacyRSS3 days ago
This article announces a support group meeting in Bethesda, Maryland for people with rare diseases. Support groups bring together patients and caregivers to share experiences, get information, and find emotional support from others facing similar health challenges. The meeting was scheduled for Saturday, July 17, 2027.
WHY IT MATTERSSupport groups provide patients with rare diseases a chance to connect with others who understand their condition and learn practical coping strategies from people with lived experience.
AdvocacyRSS3 days ago
This article announces a support group meeting in Bethesda, Maryland for people with rare diseases. However, the article content provided does not specify which rare disease(s) the support group focuses on, when meetings occur, or how to join. To get useful information, you would need to contact the organizers directly or visit their website.
WHY IT MATTERSSupport groups connect patients with others facing the same condition, reduce isolation, and provide practical tips for managing daily life — but only if you can find the specific group that matches your disease.
AdvocacyRSS3 days ago
This article announces a support group meeting in Bethesda, Maryland for people with rare diseases. However, the article content provided does not include specific details about which rare disease(s) the group focuses on, when meetings occur, or how to join. To get helpful information, you would need to contact the organizers directly or visit their website.
WHY IT MATTERSSupport groups connect patients with others who understand their condition, provide emotional support, and share practical tips for managing daily life with a rare disease.
AdvocacyRSS3 days ago
This article announces a support group meeting in Bethesda, Maryland for people with rare diseases. However, the article content provided does not include specific details about which rare disease(s) the group focuses on, when meetings occur, or how to join. To get the most out of this resource, you would need to contact the organizers directly for more information.
WHY IT MATTERSSupport groups connect patients with others who understand their condition, reduce isolation, and provide practical tips for managing daily life — but this article lacks the specific disease focus and meeting details needed to determine if it's relevant to your situation.
NewsRSS3 days ago
A parent shares a personal story about receiving a song recording from their son with hemophilia, reflecting on how their child's talents and abilities extend far beyond his medical condition. The article emphasizes that people living with rare diseases like hemophilia are whole individuals with gifts and passions that deserve recognition. This piece appears in Hemophilia News Today and focuses on the emotional and human side of living with a chronic blood disorder.
WHY IT MATTERSFor parents and caregivers of children with hemophilia, this story validates the importance of seeing their child as a complete person with abilities and dreams, not just defined by their bleeding disorder diagnosis.
NewsRSS3 days ago
A person with pulmonary hypertension (PH), a rare lung disease that makes it hard for the heart to pump blood through the lungs, shares what it was like growing up with this condition. They had to frequently miss school and explain their illness to classmates who asked questions about their absences. This article highlights the social and emotional challenges that young people with chronic rare diseases face alongside their medical treatment.
WHY IT MATTERSPatients with pulmonary hypertension and their families can find validation and community in peer experiences, while healthcare providers gain insight into the psychosocial impact of PH that extends beyond physical symptoms.
ResearchPUBMED3 days ago
Researchers in Germany studied health insurance records from 2017-2019 to understand how hemophilia A (a bleeding disorder) affects patients and how much it costs to treat. They found 257 patients with hemophilia A and grouped them by severity—mild, moderate, or severe—based on how much clotting medicine they needed. This study shows that insurance data can help doctors and researchers learn more about rare diseases like hemophilia A.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you have hemophilia A in Germany, this research demonstrates that your health insurance claims data can be used to better understand disease patterns, treatment costs, and care gaps—potentially leading to improved healthcare planning and resource allocation for your condition.
ResearchPUBMED5 days ago
Researchers in New Zealand interviewed 15 people with rare diseases and their caregivers to understand what it's like to get diagnosed and treated. They found that patients often have to fight hard to get answers and support because doctors don't know much about rare diseases. The study shows that people with rare diseases face similar challenges, even though their specific conditions are very different.
WHY IT MATTERSThis research directly documents the real-world barriers that rare disease patients face in accessing diagnosis and care in New Zealand, providing evidence that could help healthcare systems improve support for the estimated 300 million people worldwide living with rare disorders.
ResearchBIORXIV6 days ago
Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 5,400 people with rare genetic diseases to see if a test called RNA-Seq could help find the genetic cause of their conditions. They found that this blood test works better for some diseases than others, and they used special computer programs to spot unusual gene activity patterns that might explain why people got sick. This study shows that blood tests could be a useful tool to help diagnose rare diseases alongside other genetic tests.
WHY IT MATTERSIf you have an undiagnosed rare disease, this research suggests blood-based RNA testing could help identify the genetic cause—potentially leading to a diagnosis after years of searching.