Assessment of musculoskeletal function and mood in haemophilia A adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Psychiatric problems and its contributing factors in children and adolescents with hemophilia: a single centre study in a Turkish sample

Background

We aimed to evaluate the psychiatric symptoms in addition quality of life in children and adolescents with hemophilia and to determine which factors contributed to psychiatric problems of them.

A total of 20 children and adolescents with hemophilia A or B and 20 healthy controls, aged 6–16 years old, were included. Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, present and life time version (K-SADS-PL) was applied to parents. Sociodemographic questionnaire, Child Depression Inventory (CDI), The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and KINDLR Questionnaire was used for children and adolescents in both groups. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and KINDL parent form were used for mothers in both groups.

Results

The study results demonstrated higher anxiety scores and increased anxiety disorder diagnosis among children and adolescents with hemophilia. However, mother’s anxiety and depression scores are higher than control group, and QoL of their children also shows lower scores in parents’ KINDL forms. Mothers’ depression and anxiety scores are associated with childrens’ depression, anxiety, and QoL scores.

Conclusion

Psychiatric factors should not be ignored in the treatment and follow-up of children and adolescents with hemophilia and their parents.

The effectiveness of manual therapy in addition to passive stretching exercises in the treatment of patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy: A randomized, single-blind clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Haemophilic arthropathy is characterized by joint restrictions. One of the most affected joints in haemophilia patients is the knee.

AIM

This study evaluates the effectiveness of manual therapy and passive muscle stretching exercises for reducing the frequency of hemarthrosis and pain and improving joint health and range of motion in patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy.

METHODS

Twenty eight patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy were randomized to an experimental group or to a control group (without intervention). Manual therapy sessions included joint traction and gliding manoeuvers, in addition to passive muscle stretching. The intervention included one 60-minute with two weekly sessions over a 12-week period. We evaluated the frequency of knee hemarthrosis (self-reporting), joint health (Hemophilia Joint Health Score), range of motion (goniometry) and perceived knee pain (visual analogue scale). A baseline evaluation was performed at the end of the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up period.

RESULTS

The frequency of hemarthrosis dropped significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group (F = 11.43; P < .001). Compared to the control group, the experimental group had consistently better results in the variables for joint health (F = 13.80; P < .001), range of motion in knee flexion (F = 24.29; P < .001) and loss of extension (F = 8.90; P < .001), and perceived pain (F = 49.73; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Manual therapy using joint traction and gliding manoeuvers, in addition to passive muscle stretching, reduces the frequency of hemarthrosis in patients with haemophilia. Manual therapy with passive muscle stretching exercises improves joint health, range of motion and perceived joint pain.

Mental health disorders in haemophilia: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis

AIM

Despite significant advances in morbidity and mortality outcomes, quality of life for people with haemophilia (PWH) remains compromised. Underrecognized and undertreated mental health disorders decrease quality of life; however, reports are inconsistent regarding the true prevalence of mental health disorders in PWH.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature search of Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Psychinfo and the Cochrane Library, and hand searched the journal Haemophilia to identify records and subsequently conducted a meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients with congenital haemophilia.

RESULTS

Our search strategy identified 2315 records, and 28 studies met eligibility criteria. Meta-analysis demonstrated that PWH are at increased risk of depression (odds ratio (OR) 2.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.64-3.68), anxiety (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.01-3.00), anxiety/depression (OR 2.60, 95% CI 2.35-2.87) and ADHD (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.74-6.96). We found considerable heterogeneity among the studies likely due to differences in assessment tools, populations studied and year of publication. This suggests that standardized tools to diagnose mental health disorders in PWH are needed. Additionally, high-quality studies investigating mental health disorders in PWH are necessary to adequately document the prevalence of these disorders.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our meta-analysis suggests that the prevalence of depression, anxiety and ADHD across decades is significantly increased in PWH compared to the general population.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychological Aspects of Adults With Hemophilia in Iran

Hemophilia causes bleeding that may affect patients’ psychological aspects and quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the impact of psychological aspects and pain on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adult patients with hemophilia. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 patients with hemophilia. Data were collected using hemophilia-specific quality of life, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, and pain visual analogue scales. Data were analyzed using correlation coefficients, analysis of covariance, and regression analysis. The results showed that 71.7% of patients with hemophilia experienced pain on the study day. The mean score of HRQoL of patients with hemophilia was 51.09 (standard deviation = 19.37). Moreover, 57.4%, 64.6%, and 44.6% of the patients had mild to severe depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. In addition, a significant association was observed between HRQoL and depression, anxiety, and severity of pain. In the regression model, 48% of changes in HRQOL were explained by the study variables, with the severity of pain and depression being significant predictors. Therefore, attention should be paid to these aspects to improve patients’ quality of life and psychosocial health.

Outcome measures in haemophilia: a systematic review

Haemophilia A and B are hereditary X-linked disorders due to deficiency (or absence) of coagulation factor VIII or IX, respectively. Bleeding risk is related to the severity of factor deficiency. Repeated joint bleeding can lead to a severe haemophilic arthropathy resulting in disabilities. Outcome measurements in persons with haemophilia (PWH) have been limited to laboratory evaluation (factor VIII or IX levels) and clinical outcomes (such as bleeding frequency), morbidity (for example linked with arthropathy) and mortality. Due to the new standard of care of PWH, there is a need to consider other outcome measures, such as the early detection and quantification of joint disease, health-related quality of life (QoL) and economic or cost-utility analyses. To investigate this, we performed a 10-yr systematic overview of outcome measures in haemophilia. Only clinical trials including at least 20 patients with haemophilia A or B were included. To facilitate the search strategy, eight issues of outcome measures were selected: physical scores, imaging technique scores, functional scores, QoL measurement, mortality, bleeding frequency, cost and outcome and bone mineral density. The results of these will be discussed. Clearly defined outcomes in haemophilia care are important for many reasons, to evaluate new treatments, to justify treatment strategies, to allow a good follow-up, to perform studies and to allocate resources. The use of such scoring systems is clearly recommended by experts in haemophilia care. However, most centres do not perform such scores outside clinical trials due to reasons such as lack of time and resources.