On June 28, 1999, Spain’s Ministry of the Interior approved the statutes and authorized the constitution of the SPANISH ASSOCIATION FOR HEREDITARY ANDIOEDEMA DUE TO C1 INHIBITOR DEFECIT (AEDAF). The purposes of this Association include increasing awareness in the Public Administration and in Spanish society in general regarding the problems and needs of these patients, spreading information on this illness to allow for correct diagnosis and treatment, keeping apace with the latest scientific and therapeutic developments, and exchanging data with similar organizations from all over the world.

AEDAF held its first General Meeting on October 2, 1999 in Madrid, which was attended by 77 people (patients and family) from all around Spain.

The aims of the Association, as agreed during the meeting, are along the lines of the other European Associations:

• Dissemination of knowledge. Information should be standarized. Automated an also intelligible for a broad social spectrum.
• Full availability of high-quality medical care.
• Issuance of a health-care ID document, with the diagnosis, treatment and emergency number. It must be resistant and on computer support.
• Promotion of social-scientific meetings.
• Promotion of meetings between patients and doctors. The possibility of setting up a medical committee is suggested.