Lifelong prophylaxis in a large cohort of adult patients with severe haemophilia: a beneficial effect on orthopaedic outcome and quality of life
- 2 February 2012
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in European Journal of Haematology
- Vol. 88 (4), 329-335
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0609.2012.01750.x
Abstract
Background: In the 1950s, Sweden initiated prophylaxis as a lifelong treatment for haemophilia. It was the first country to do so. Objective: To describe and evaluate dosing and outcome of prophylactic treatment in a large cohort of adult people with severe haemophilia who have been using prophylaxis most of their lives. Methods: Eighty-one patients born between 1932 and1992 were divided into two groups (Group A started prophylaxis at the age of ≤ 3 years; Group B at three or more years of age) and evaluated retrospectively. Outcome was evaluated using the Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) and SF-36, a measure of quality of life. Results: The median number of joint bleeds per year was 0 in both study groups; however, the annual number of joint bleeds during the final three years of observation was higher in group B than group A (p< 0.006). Twenty-five of 30 patients in group A and 27/51 patients in group B had no joint bleeds in that period. Group A had significantly better joint outcomes than group B. Patients in group A experienced better physical and social health than those in group B. Conclusions: This follow-up has provided for the first time more extensive and detailed information regarding the practice of prophylactic treatment in a large cohort of adults with severe haemophilia. The present study confirms, that early start of prophylaxis and continuing throughout the lifespan has been successful in virtually eliminating joint bleeds, preserving a close to normal joint status, and keeping patients healthy and able to live normal lives. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/SKeywords
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