Rare Disease Network

Rare diseases are a large group of diseases (5-6 thousand), defined by the low prevalence in the population. At European level, a disease affecting no more than 5 patients per 10,000 inhabitants is defined as rare. To date, a number of rare diseases have been classified. For many of these there is still no cure and for many others it is extremely difficult to make a diagnosis. Most rare diseases are of genetic origin, and almost all of them are considered chronic, degenerative and disabling and require continuous care. Rare diseases account for about 10% of all diseases afflicting humanity today.