Content comparison of haemophilia specific patient-rated outcome measures with the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF, ICF-CY)

Six-Year, Real-World Use of Prophylaxis with Recombinant Factor IX-Albumin Fusion Protein (rIX-FP) in Persons with Hemophilia B: A Single-Center Retrospective-Prospective Study

Background: Extended half-life (EHL) factor IX (FIX) concentrates allow for prophylaxis with prolonged dosing intervals and high bleeding protection in persons with hemophilia B. Long-term real-world studies are lacking. Methods: In a retrospective-prospective study, the six-year use of prophylaxis with the EHL recombinant FIX-albumin fusion protein (rIX-FP) was analyzed, comparing outcomes with previous standard half-life (SHL) FIX in patients already on prophylaxis. Results: Prophylaxis with rIX-FP was prescribed in 15 patients (10 severe, 5 moderate; follow-up: 57 ± 17 months). Based on a pharmacokinetic assessment and clinical needs, the first regimen was 47 ± 7 IU/Kg every 9 ± 2 days. All but one patient remained on rIX-FP prophylaxis, adjusting infusion frequency and/or dose; the last prescribed frequency was ≥10 days in 10/13 patients, being reduced in seven and increased in four vs. the first regimen. The weekly FIX dose was unchanged; FIX trough levels were >5% in all patients. The annual infusion number and FIX IU/Kg significantly decreased (~60%) in eight patients previously on SHL FIX prophylaxis, with similar concentrate costs. Very low bleeding rates (most traumatic bleeds and the last quartile of the infusion interval), improved orthopedic and pain scores, unchanged HEAD-US scores and problem joints, and high treatment adherence (>90%) and satisfaction were registered. Conclusions: Personalized, carefully adjusted rIX-FP regimens contribute to the diffusion and optimization of prophylaxis in persons with severe and moderate hemophilia B, with long-term favorable bleeding, joint, and patient-reported outcomes.

Haemophilia item bank based on International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: a systematic review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Haemophilia comprises a continuum of blood disorders that often include joint and muscular dysfunction, which may lead to a constellation of activity limitations and participation restrictions. However, there is scant research incorporating functional assessment scales into the common language provided by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). This study aims to identify the ICF categories to include in an item bank of functioning aspects relevant for haemophilia.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A systematic search was carried out in July 2021 based on the PubMed MEDLINE, CLINICAL, and Cochrane databases for qualified articles, investigating haemophilia-specific scales and the scales recommended by the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH) linked to ICF categories between 2001 and 2021. Well-trained healthcare professionals in the haemophilia field and ICF evaluation conducted group discussions to determine the ICF items for haemophilia.

RESULTS

A total of 112 out of 176 items measuring function were collected for the haemophilia ICF item bank, including 32 items for body function (b), 45 items for activity and participation (d), 27 items for environmental factors (e), and 8 items for body structure(s).

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that future haemophilia research use the haemophilia-specific ICF item bank, which could capture a whole spectrum of functional measurements and facilitate multidisciplinary and worldwide communication. This study also indicates that further development and analysis of the psychometric properties of the 112 haemophilia-related ICF items is warranted.

Activity and participation in haemophiliacs: Item response modelling based on international classification of functioning, disability and health

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

There is scant research investigating the user-friendly functional assessment tool conceptualized by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) among persons with haemophilia (PWH). This study aims to accomplish two goals: (1) quantifying comprehensive functioning measures of haemophilia through Item Response Theory (IRT); (2) discussing patient-centred care based on the Wright map of personal ability and item difficulty.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 70 PWH (mean age, 33.09 ± 11.04) via convenience sampling. All patients completed the 45 ICF categories of haemophilic-specific activity and participation. Psychometric properties of the categories were examined using Mokken scale analysis and parametric item response modelling.

RESULTS

We extracted a unidimensional scale with 31 categories, and constructed a Rasch model with good fitness. The Cronbach's α of the scale was .9713, with the Guttman's λ²  = .9730, Molenaar Sijtsma ρ = .9802, and latent class reliability coefficient = .9769, indicating great internal reliability. The estimated individual social competence by the Rasch model was highly related to the index score of the three-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) (p < .001, r = .62), and had a moderate correlation (p < .001, r = .54) with the score of Haemophilia Activities List (HAL).

CONCLUSIONS

The ICF scale of haemophilic activity and participation with 31 categories (HAPPY-ICF) has good construct validity and internal consistency. The person-item threshold distribution map might be helpful in research and clinical practices for patient-oriented care.

Practical considerations for nonfactor-replacement therapies in the treatment of haemophilia with inhibitors

New therapeutic agents for haemophilia with inhibitors that are in development or already licensed are expected to provide transformative treatment options. Many of these new therapies are not based on simply replacing the missing factor; new strategies include bispecific antibody technology that mimics factor VIII coagulation function (emicizumab), and inhibition of anticoagulant proteins such as tissue factor pathway inhibitor (eg PF-06741086) and antithrombin (eg fitusiran). These agents are administered subcutaneously and should significantly reduce treatment burden and increase the ability to deliver prophylaxis for patients. Limited real-world data and validated practical guidance on these recently licensed/upcoming treatments resulted in the authors convening to discuss recommendations on their use. Emicizumab is currently the only licenced nonfactor therapy; thus, our recommendations focus on this product. Target candidates for emicizumab prophylaxis are difficult-to-treat patients with haemophilia A and inhibitors and/or venous access issues, frequent bleeds and target joints. In case of breakthrough bleeding while receiving emicizumab, patients still require treatment with bypassing agents; the adjunct treatment of choice is recombinant activated factor VII. This treatment is also recommended to prevent bleeds in patients with inhibitors undergoing surgery. Our recommendations on suitable laboratory assays and monitoring new products, as well as the benefit of patient-reported outcomes (such as pain and physical activity levels), are included. We also briefly discuss future treatment options for patients with haemophilia B and inhibitors. Although these nonfactor treatments offer great promise, further data and real-world evidence are needed.

A comparative performance analysis of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and the Item-Perspective Classification framework for classifying the content of patient reported outcome measures

BACKGROUND

Standardized coding of the content presented in patient reported outcome measures can be achieved using classification frameworks, and the resulting data can be used for ascertaining content validity or comparative analyses. The International Classification of Functioning (ICF) is a framework with a detailed conceptual structure that has been successfully utilized for such purposes through established coding procedures. The Item Perspective Classification (IPC) framework is a newly developed relational coding system that classifies the respondent perspective and conceptual domains addressed in items. The purpose of this study was to compare and describe the performance of these two frameworks when used alone, and in conjunction, for the generation of data pertaining to the content of patient reported outcome measures.

METHODS

Six health-related quality of life questionnaires with a total of 159 items were classified by two raters using the Item Perspective Classification framework in conjunction with the International Classification of Functioning. Framework performance indicators included: classification capacity (percent of items amenable to successful classification), coding efficiency (number of codes required to classify items), and content overlap detection (percent of items sharing identical classification codes with at least one other item). Inter-rater reliability of item coding was determined using Krippendorff's alpha.

RESULTS

Classification capacity of the IPC framework was 97%, coding efficiency 26, and content overlap detection was 95%; whereas respective values for the ICF were 68%, 114, and 58%. When used in conjunction values were 63%, 129, and 30%. Krippendorff's alpha exceeded 0.97 for all 3 classification indices.

CONCLUSION

Inter-rater agreement on classification data was excellent. The IPC framework provided a unique classification of the respondent's judgment during item response and classified more items using fewer categories, indicated greater content overlap across items and was able to describe the relationship between multiple concepts presented within the context of a single item. The ICF provided a unique classification of item content relating to aspects of disability and generated more detailed and precise descriptions. A combined approach provided a rich description (detailed codes) with each framework providing complementary information. The benefits of this approach in instrument development and content validation require further investigation.

Optimising prophylaxis outcomes and costs in haemophilia patients switching to recombinant FVIII-Fc: a single-centre real-world experience

BACKGROUND

The recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII)-IgG1 Fc fusion protein (rFVIII-Fc) was the first available extended half-life rFVIII, shown to prolong dosing intervals of individualised prophylaxis in patients with severe haemophilia A, maintaining low bleeding rates and unchanged or lower FVIII dose versus standard half-life (SHL) rFVIII. Few data are available about real-world experience with rFVIII-Fc, including criteria for patient switching from SHL products, follow up and prophylaxis optimisation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-centre retrospective study was designed to review patients switched to rFVIII-Fc, based on individual needs, after pharmacokinetic (PK) assessment, according to routine clinical practice. In patients with adequate post-switch follow up, data about rFVIII-Fc prophylaxis were compared with those from the last 18-months SHL rFVIII prophylaxis.

RESULTS

Of 25 candidates, 18 patients (15 severe, 3 moderate; aged 9-62 years; 3 with inhibitor history) started rFVIII-Fc regimens, with comparable FVIII weekly dose and reduced infusion frequency (mean -30%) in all 17 patients previously on SHL rFVIII prophylaxis thrice weekly or every other day. Over a mean 18-month follow up in 13 patients, compared with SHL products, further reduced infusion frequency (mean -40%; p<0.001; interval ≥4 days in 9 patients), improved treatment satisfaction (Hemo-sat questionnaires), significantly lower FVIII weekly dose and annual consumption (mean -12%; p=0.019), comparable bleeding rates and FVIII trough levels, and improved management of breakthrough bleeding were observed. von Willebrand Factor Antigen (VWF:Ag) correlated to PK variables and both had relationships with rFVIII-Fc weekly dose, increasing statistical significance over the follow-up period. No inhibitors or drug-related adverse events were recorded.

DISCUSSION

In this real-world series of patients, a switch to rFVIII-Fc, based on careful assessment of clinical needs, PK testing and treatment monitoring, was able to optimise individual convenience, efficacy and costs of prophylaxis.

Who Is a Cancer Survivor? A Systematic Review of Published Definitions

The term "cancer survivor" is commonly used by different persons, clinical institutions, academic bodies, and political organizations although it lacks of a unanimous and detailed definition. The objective of the study is to make a systematic review of published and proposed definitions of "cancer survivor." Utilizing a systematic search strategy with different strings of "cancer survivor," we searched the following databases: Medline (June 1975-June 2015), Scopus (all the years), Web of Science (all the years), Google Scholar (all the years), ERIC (all the years). This review suggests that there is not a unique definition of who is a "cancer survivor" and what is "cancer survivorship." However, the most widely used definition sees cancer survivorship as a process that begins at the moment of diagnosis and continues through the balance of life. This definition highlights psychological and legal patient's needs-as well as medical ones-to receive care and assistance from the beginning and, at the same time, it establishes valid criteria for making scientific and statistical sampling research. The extensive use of the term "cancer survivor" indicates that it is a significant term. This review has been written to outline the state of the art and it invites to reflect on a shared definition that could satisfy both clinical and research aspects. Implication for cancer survivors: this compendium of proposed definitions may improve communication among the many patients and patient organizations that use and work with this term.

The Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) as a valid alternative for measuring the functional capacity of people with haemophilia

BACKGROUND

There are several scales for evaluating the functional capacity of people with haemophilia (PWH).

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the value and simplicity of the "Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index" (HAQ-DI) for making a functional assessment of PWH in those contexts in which the specific physical assessment scales cannot be used [Functional Independence Score in Haemophilia (FISH) and Haemophilia Activities List (HAL)]. The HAQ-DI is a validated generic self-administered questionnaire that is completed in <5min.

METHODS

Data was collected on the physical and functional status of 62 adult PWH having haemophilia. Their average age was 34.7 years. The impairment of the PWH was assessed using the generic self-administrable functionality questionnaire (HAQ-DI) and the following scales: The "World Federation of Haemophilia Physical Examination Score" (WFH-PES) and the Haemophilia Joint Health Score 2.1 (HJHS 2.1). We evaluated the correlation between generic HAQ-DI score and physical assessment scores WFH-PES, HJHS 2.1 (correlation analysis).

RESULTS

The correlation between WFH-PES and HAQ-DI showed a Spearman's correlation coefficient of r=0.804 (p<0.05). The correlation between HJHS 2.1 and HAQ-DI showed a Spearman's correlation coefficient of r=0.823 (p<0.05). A positive and fairly strong correlation was found between them.

CONCLUSIONS

The presented associations established the application of HAQ-DI as a PROXY clinical indicator of functional status. HAQ-DI is a valid alternative for assessing functional capacity in adult PWH, especially in cases in which, for some reason, it is not possible to use other tools that are specific for haemophilia. Clinical practice needs a less time demanding assessment tools.

The ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) developed by the WHO for measuring function in hemophilia

INTRODUCTION

Assessment of the disease in people with hemophilia (PWH) must include an analysis of functioning. Researchers have done a lot of work over the last two decades in developing disease specific assessment tools in hemophilia - some of them based on the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health).

AREAS COVERED

This article is a narrative review of the ICF developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the context of hemophilia. Expert commentary: The WFH has developed a website with a 'compendium of assessment tools' based on the ICF. The ICF developed by the WHO makes it possible to propose an approach that prioritizes capacities over difficulties. This article is intended to motivate physicians who treat PWH to incorporate the ICF into their assessments. A generalized use of the ICF will provide a common communication context. The ICF developed by the WHO should be used in hemophilia.

Cognitive and psychological profiles in treatment compliance: a study in an elderly population with hemophilia

Elderly patients with hemophilia have to face new challenges linked to concomitant pathologies and concurrent use of different treatments. In order to promote optimal care in the elderly hemophilia population, this study is aimed to analyze treatment compliance in relation to the presence of comorbidities and the role of potential determinants that can affect compliance (positively or negatively), including health-related quality of life, cognitive decline, and sociodemographic parameters (eg, living situation, partnership, presence of caregivers). This will be an observational study of elderly patients with hemophilia (aged >60 years). Patients will be interviewed during their routine medical visits. The data interview will pertaining to several dimension of treatment management. This study will detect more vulnerable patients with special care needs and will highlight psychological factors that should be considered for future psychosocial interventions.

Developing item banks for measuring pediatric generic health-related quality of life: an application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth and item response theory

The purpose of this study was to develop item banks by linking items from three pediatric health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments using a mixed methodology. Secondary data were collected from 469 parents of children aged 8-16 years. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Children and Youth (ICF-CY) served as a framework to compare the concepts of items from three HRQoL instruments. The structural validity of the individual domains was examined using confirmatory factor analyses. Samejima's Graded Response Model was used to calibrate items from different instruments. The known-groups validity of each domain was examined using the status of children with special health care needs (CSHCN). Concepts represented by the items in the three instruments were linked to 24 different second-level categories of the ICF-CY. Eight item banks representing eight unidimensional domains were created based on the linkage of the concepts measured by the items of the three instruments to the ICF-CY. The HRQoL results of CSHCN in seven out of eight domains (except personality) were significantly lower compared with children without special health care needs (p<0.05). This study demonstrates a useful approach to compare the item concepts from the three instruments and to generate item banks for a pediatric population.

Assessment of the impact of treatment on quality of life of patients with haemophilia A at different ages: insights from two clinical trials on turoctocog alfa

Haemophilia and its treatment interfere with patients' life, so health-related quality of life (HRQoL) should be assessed when evaluating treatments. This study investigated the HRQoL of patients with haemophilia A treated prophylactically with a new recombinant factor VIII. Two phase 3 trials investigated turoctocog alfa in patients with severe haemophilia A: one in children, one in adults and adolescents. HRQoL was a secondary endpoint assessed by the HAEMO-QOL age-specific, self-administered questionnaires. Parent-completed versions were also included for parents of children and adolescents. All HAEMO-QOL questionnaires allow the calculation of domain-specific and total scores ranging from 0 to 100, lower scores indicating better HRQoL. Mean change in all scores was described for 25 children aged 4-7 years, 21 children aged 8-12 years, 18 adolescents aged 13-18 years and 129 adults, overall, and according to the treatment regimen received prior to the study (on-demand; prophylaxis; mixed). Mean changes in HAEMO-QOL total score were 1.4 for children aged 4-7 years, -2.6 for children aged 8-12 years, -5.8 for adolescents and -1.6 for adults. In parent-completed versions, mean changes in total score were -6.0 for children aged 4-7 years, -4.7 for children aged 8-12 years, and -10.0 for adolescents. Patients receiving on-demand treatment before the trial showed greater improvement in HRQoL scores than patients already on prophylaxis. HRQoL of patients remained fairly stable over the course of the trials. However, improvements were observed for adolescents. Switching to prophylaxis was identified as a potential driver of improvement of HRQoL in patients with haemophilia A.

Is There Evidence for Neurocognitive Dysfunctions in Patients with Postnatal HIV Infection? A Review on the Cohort of Hemophilia Patients

The debate regarding neurocognitive functions in the early stages of HIV infection is still ongoing; different studies have reached contrasting conclusions, probably because many of them take into account different cohorts of patients. A main distinction is between HIV seropositive patients infected perinatally, and those infected postnatally. The aim of this paper is to review results on neurocognitive dysfunctions and other types of neurological involvement in a specific cohort of HIV+ patients infected postnatally: hemophilia patients. Such a review is relevant, as HIV seropositive patients infected postnatally are understudied with respect to patients infected perinatally, and as the results of the few studies aiming at comparing them are contrasting. Taken together, the 11 studies reviewed suggest the presence of both long-term neurocognitive dysfunctions and neurological alterations, such as the presence of atrophic changes and lesions in the white matter. The current review may offer new research insights into the neurocognitive dysfunctions in HIV-patients, and on the nature of such dysfunctions.

Lessons from community mental health to drive implementation in health care systems for people with long-term conditions

This paper aims to identify which lessons learned from the evidence and the experiences accruing from the transformation in mental health services in recent decades may have relevance for the future development of healthcare for people with long-term physical conditions. First, nine principles are discussed which we first identified to guide mental health service organisation, and all of which can be potentially applied to long term care as well (autonomy, continuity, effectiveness, accessibility, comprehensiveness, equity, accountability, co-ordination, and efficiency). Second, we have outlined innovative operational aspects of service user participation, many of which were first initiated and consolidated in the mental health field, and some of which are now also being implemented in long term care (including case management, and crisis plans). We conclude that long term conditions, whether mental or physical, deserve a long-term commitment from the relevant health services, and indeed where continuity and co-ordination are properly funded implemented, this can ensure that the symptomatic course is more stable, quality of life is enhanced, and the clinical outcomes are more favourable. Innovations such as self-management for long-term conditions (intended to promote autonomy and empowerment) need to be subjected to the same level of rigorous scientific scrutiny as any other treatment or service interventions.

Comparing children's self-report instruments for health-related quality of life using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY)

Children with chronic conditions often experience a long treatment which can be complex and negatively impacts the child's well-being. In planning treatment and interventions for children with chronic conditions, it is important to measure health-related quality of life (HrQoL). HrQoL instruments are considered to be a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) and should be used in routine practice. Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the content dimensions of HrQoL instruments for children's self-reports using the framework of ICF-CY. Method: The sample consist of six instruments for health-related quality of life for children 5 to 18 years of age, which was used in the Swedish national quality registries for children and adolescents with chronic conditions. The following instruments were included: CHQ-CF, DCGM-37, EQ-5D-Y, KIDSCREEN-52, Kid-KINDL and PedsQL 4.0. The framework of the ICF-CY was used as the basis for the comparison. Results: There were 290 meaningful concepts identified and linked to 88 categories in the classification ICF-CY with 29 categories of the component body functions, 48 categories of the component activities and participation and 11 categories of the component environmental factors. No concept were linked to the component body structures. The comparison revealed that the items in the HrQoL instruments corresponded primarily with the domains of activities and less with environmental factors. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results confirm that ICF-CY provide a good framework for content comparisons that evaluate similarities and differences to ICF-CY categories. The results of this study revealed the need for greater consensus of content across different HrQoL instruments. To obtain a detailed description of children's HrQoL, DCGM-37 and KIDSCREEN-52 may be appropriate instruments to use that can increase the understanding of young patients’ needs.

Biomechanics of lower limb haemophilic arthropathy

Intermittent joint bleeding and potential arthropathy remain a concern for patients and those responsible for haemophilic care. Monitoring the status of haemophilic joints is a current challenge. Evaluation of bone and soft tissue with radiological imaging together with clinical joint scoring is often used to monitor haemophilic arthropathy and may not be sufficiently sensitive to early changes in joint morphology. Recently an interest in the biomechanical status of haemophilic joints has emerged. Biomechanics is defined as the interdiscipline that describes, analyses and assesses movement in relation to biological and physical principles. This review considers the biomechanical evaluation of haemophilic joint status of the lower limb with particular reference to the evaluation of muscle atrophy, muscle strength, range of motion and gait as well as the relationship to haemophilic arthropathy. In raising the need for increased clinical awareness, this review highlights the need to establish test-retest and inter-rater reliability and ensuring that comparative studies are undertaken with age-matched unaffected peer groups.