Impact of first COVID-19 lockdown on paediatric and adult haemophilia patients treated in a French Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre

Physical Activity, Bleedings and Quality of Life in Subjects with Haemophilia A without Inhibitors-A Multicenter, Observational Italian Study with a Wearable Device

Background: This study aimed to gather data on physical activity (PA), bleeding, health-related quality of life, and health status, using a wearable device and an electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) app, in individuals with moderate or severe hemophilia A (HA) without inhibitors receiving treatment according to the clinical practice. Methods: This is a 12-month multicenter cohort study conducted in Italy. The primary outcomes included the description of PA by type and intensity, adherence to World Health Organization guidelines, bleeding, and health-related quality of life by EQ-5D questionnaire. PA data were collected continuously through a fitness tracker worn by the patient; all the other variables were collected through ePRO questionnaires. Results: Only 54 of the 103 enrolled subjects (52.4%) used their fitness tracker for the defined valid period; adolescents were the least compliant age group. PA was performed at low rates and intensity. Approximately 52% of the subjects had sedentary behavior. The mean EQ-5D values did not change over time. At least one bleeding was reported in 43.7% of the subjects, mostly with sedentary behavior. The PA in the 2 days preceding the bleeding was comparable to the one observed in the overall observational period. Conclusions: The systematic recording of data through a fitness tracker and ePRO app shows that subjects with HA without inhibitors have lower-than-expected PA and that they still experience issues related to bleeding.

Cross-cultural assessment of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perceived mental health and medical experiences of persons with inherited bleeding disorders and their parents/guardians

BACKGROUND

Objectives were to 1) assess COVID-19-associated medical and psychological challenges facing persons with inherited bleeding disorders (PIBD) and their parents/guardians (PG) in Germany, the US, and the UK; 2) describe similarities and differences among these countries; 3) identify needs and opportunities for intervention by patient advocacy organizations (PAGs).

RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODS

A cross-sectional, international survey was conducted in three countries using validated psychometric instruments and investigator-developed items.

RESULTS

Five hundred and four surveys were included. Significant differences between countries were found including experiences with medical care, specific thoughts, and concerns about COVID-19, anxiety, and other mental health measures, as well as resources used to cope with stress. Age, education, income, race, IBD diagnosis, PIBD vs. BD group, and gender had moderating effects on resources used. Communication with friends/relatives and use of PAG and HTCs as resources for information/coping decreased in all countries during the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

There were similarities and differences between respondents across the country in the perceived impact of the pandemic, mental health scores, and strategies used to cope with stress.  Recommendations: strategies to increase PAG access for PIBD and their PG during pandemics and natural disasters, ongoing assessment and adaptation to provide supportive resources to specific patient subgroups.

Physical activity in Norwegian teenagers and young adults with haemophilia A compared to general population peers

INTRODUCTION

Limited evidence exists on objectively measured habitual physical activity (PA) of young people with haemophilia (PWH).

AIMS

To compare different outcomes of objective PA between young PWH A and controls using a commercial activity tracker.

METHODS

We enrolled males aged 13-30 years with moderate and severe haemophilia A, without inhibitors on regular prophylaxis. PA was measured with the activity tracker Fitbit Charge 3 for 12 weeks. Control group data was obtained from ≈60,000 Fitbit users, matched on age, sex and measurement period. PA variables [steps, intensities, volume, activity types, exercise frequencies and proportion meeting the World Health Organization's moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) recommendations] were compared between groups descriptively and using Welch's two-sample t-test and two-sample test of proportions.

RESULTS

Forty PWH A were enrolled (mean age 19.5 years, 50% teenagers, 50% adults, three (7.5%) with moderate and 37 (92.5%) with severe haemophilia). Mean daily steps and minutes MVPA were similar between PWH and controls. PWH spent more time in light PA (mean 227 vs. 192 min/day, P = .033) and exercised more frequently (mean 5.6 vs. 3.9 exercise sessions/week, P < .001). Among teenagers, 40% PWH and 8% controls reached MVPA recommendations, compared to 95% and 100% among adults. The most common type of PA was walking.

CONCLUSION

This cohort of young PWH A on prophylactic treatment had PA levels comparable to controls. Still, a considerable proportion of teenagers did not meet the recommended weekly volume of MVPA, and we encourage clinicians to have a particular focus on promoting PA for this group.

Outcomes of COVID-19 in Adult Males With Hemophilia A: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Background Hypercoagulability is a major pathologic event in COVID-19. Factor VIII plays an important role in hemostasis, and high levels of factor VIII have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of thrombosis and severe disease. Little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on clinical outcomes in patients with hemophilia A. Methodology Retrospective data of adult male patients with COVID-19 with and without hemophilia A were retrieved from the TriNetX database (Cambridge, USA). The 1:1 propensity score-matching was performed to balance baseline characteristics. Patients were matched for age, race, body mass index, and medical comorbidities. Thirty-day outcomes were assessed. Results We identified 1,758 patients with pre-existing hemophilia A diagnosis prior to COVID-19 diagnosis and 5,191,908 comparators. After 1:1 propensity score matching, groups were balanced on demographics and comorbidities. All-cause mortality rates were similar between the two groups (HR 0.805; 95% CI 0.467-1.389). The frequency of severe infection, ICU admission, and composite thrombotic events did not differ between the groups. Patients with hemophilia A were hospitalized more frequently than those without a history of hemophilia A (19.2% vs. 14.4%; p<0.05). Additionally, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and composite bleeding events occurred more frequently in patients with hemophilia A (3.2% vs. 2.2%; p<0.05 and 4.0% vs. 2.8%; p<0.05, respectively). Conclusions The mortality of individuals with hemophilia A due to COVID-19 is comparable to the general population but with higher risks of hospitalization and bleeding.