Survey to Identify Burdens and Unmet Needs of EB Patients in the US

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare, often severe genetic disorder characterized by mechanical fragility and blistering or erosion of the skin, mucosa, or epithelial lining of other organs, in response to little or no apparent trauma.

EB is chronic, potentially disfiguring, and in some cases fatal. Patients with EB have painful wounds and blisters that can lead to infection and scarring. There are many genetic and symptomatic variations of EB, but all forms share the common symptom of fragile skin that blisters and tears, sometimes from the slightest friction or trauma. There is currently no approved treatment for EB. Current standard of care consists of pain management and the bandaging and cleaning of open wounds to prevent infection.

While there are a number of publications/guidance/consensus statements related to the diagnosis and management of EB from the point of view of the health-care provider/disease expert, there is a need for more research to define the key aspects of life with EB (i.e. diagnostic journey, treatment, management, daily living challenges, and overall disease burden) from the perspective of the patient.