Lifelong prophylaxis in a large cohort of adult patients with severe haemophilia: a beneficial effect on orthopaedic outcome and quality of life

BACKGROUND: In the 1950s, Sweden initiated prophylaxis as a lifelong treatment for haemophilia. It was the first country to do so. OBJECTIVES: 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 yr; 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 3 yr of observation was higher in group B than in 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 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.