Health and treatment outcomes of patients with hemophilia in the Netherlands, 1972-2019
Publication year
2021Source
Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 19, 10, (2021), pp. 2394-2406ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor
Display more detailsDisplay less details
Organization
Haematology
Journal title
Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Volume
vol. 19
Issue
iss. 10
Page start
p. 2394
Page end
p. 2406
Subject
Radboudumc 16: Vascular damage RIHS: Radboud Institute for Health Sciences; Haematology - Radboud University Medical CenterAbstract
INTRODUCTION: We conducted six cross-sectional nationwide questionnaire studies among all patients with hemophilia in the Netherlands from 1972 until 2019 to assess how health outcomes have changed, with a special focus on patients >50 years of age. METHODS: Data were collected on patient characteristics, treatment, (joint) bleeding, joint impairment, hospitalizations, human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C infections, and general health status (RAND-36). RESULTS: In 2019, 1009 patients participated, of whom 48% had mild, 15% moderate, and 37% severe hemophilia. From 1972 to 2019, the use of prophylaxis among patients with severe hemophilia increased from 30% to 89%. Their median annual bleeding rate decreased from 25 to 2 bleeds. Patients with severe hemophilia aged <16 years reported joint impairment less often over time, but in those aged >40 years joint status did not improve. In 2019, 5% of all 1009 patients were positive for the human immunodeficiency virus. The proportion of patients with an active hepatitis C infection drastically decreased from 45% in 2001 to 2% in 2019 due to new anti-hepatitis C treatment options. Twenty-five percent had significant liver fibrosis even after successful therapy. Compared to the general male population, patients aged >50 years reported much lower scores on the RAND-36, especially on physical functioning. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Our study shows that increased use of prophylactic treatment and effective hepatitis C treatment have improved joint health and nearly eradicated hepatitis C infection in patients with hemophilia in the Netherlands. However, patients still suffer from hemophilia-related complications, especially patients aged >50 years.
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- Academic publications [245055]
- Electronic publications [132360]
- Faculty of Medical Sciences [93206]
- Open Access publications [105968]
Upload full text
Use your RU credentials (u/z-number and password) to log in with SURFconext to upload a file for processing by the repository team.