Complications of hemophilia in the elbow: current management

Occupational therapy in the management of haemophilia patients: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Haemophilia is a haematological disease, although most haemorrhages occur in the locomotor system. Patients are physically disabled from an early age and have a poorer perception of quality of life. In the day-to-day lives of patients and their families, psychosocial well-being, the disease's physical, personal, and social impact, as well as work-related problems are the most complicated aspects of the disease that need to be addressed.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the role of occupational therapy in managing patients with haemophilia and to analyse the therapeutic potential of occupational therapy in treating these patients.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted to identify the role of occupational therapy in managing patients with haemophilia and to analyse the therapeutic potential of occupational therapy in treating these patients. The review was registered in the international registry PROSPERO (Id: CRD42022319637). The databases consulted were SCOPUS, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Science Direct, including all studies published until 14 August 2023.

RESULTS

No single study was found that specifically developed an occupational therapy intervention for patients with haemophilia. Measurement instruments have been identified, specific for patients with haemophilia and generic, that can be useful for the functional evaluation of these patients in the occupational therapy approach. Different studies showed the importance of multidisciplinary treatment, including occupational therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of occupational therapy could be effective in improving autonomy and quality of life in haemophilia patients. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to conduct research studies within the field of occupational therapy.

The Efficacy of Physical Therapy Modalities in Patients With Hemophilia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials With Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of different physical therapy interventions that could validate decisions taken by health care providers in the field of rehabilitation of patients with hemophilia according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), including body functions and structures, activity, and participation.

DATA SOURCES

Seven databases-PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov-were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating any physical therapy modality to manage hemophilia.

STUDY SELECTION

After abstract and full-text filtration, a methodological quality assessment was performed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale for the studies that met the eligibility criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION

Relevant data were extracted from eligible studies and outcomes were categorized according to the ICF.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Using Review Manager and Microsoft Excel, a quantitative analysis using standardized mean differences with the 95% confidence interval was completed. Statistical heterogeneity between studies was explored using the I² test. A fixed effect model was applied to all data analyses. If heterogeneity was statistically significant, the Der Simonian and Laird random effects models were used instead.

RESULTS

35 randomized controlled trials with 1216 participants were included in this systematic review; 13 of them dealt with pediatric patients. Most of the studies were of good quality; 12 studies were of low quality. Meta-analysis showed a significant difference in favor of manual therapy, laser, and therapeutic exercises on selected outcomes of body function and structure, activity, and participation categories of the ICF model.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review recommends using manual therapy and therapeutic exercise modalities to improve join health status in combination with educational sessions to improve the quality of life of patients with hemophilic arthropathy. For pediatric patients with hemophilic arthropathy, using laser therapy is promising for improving functional capacity.

Hemophilic arthropathy: a teaching approach devoted to hemophilia treaters in under-development countries

INTRODUCTION

Arthropathy is the characteristic injury of hemophilia, primarily occurring in the elbows, knees, and ankles. The aim of this review is a teaching approach devoted to hemophilia treaters in under-development countries.

AREAS COVERED

Current major challenges include the absence of the following therapeutic tools for all people with hemophilia (PWH) worldwide: hematological prophylaxis; well-coordinated multidisciplinary teams in specialized centers; joint aspiration of acute hemarthrosis; point-of-care ultrasonography (POC-US); exercise; treatment of synovitis by means of radiosynovectomy; treatment of mild hemophilic arthropathy with analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, and rehabilitation medicine; intra-articular injections of corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma, and mesenchymal stem cells; and treatment of severe hemophilic arthropathy by surgical treatment. The future scenario in under-development countries should include all the aforementioned treatment tools plus the possibility of performing total joint arthroplasty in PWH with inhibitors; concomitant use of bypassing agents with emicizumab for PWH with inhibitors undergoing orthopedic surgery; and telemedicine.

EXPERT OPINION

Primary hematological prophylaxis is now the gold standard for the management of hemophilia. Acute hemarthrosis needs intense hematological management and articular aspiration; the articular situation should be scrutinized by POC-US. Synovitis can be controlled by radiosynovectomy. In cases of severe articular degeneration, surgical procedures might be required.

Recent advances in surgery and its perioperative treatment in people with hemophilia

Introduction: People with hemophilia (PWH) may require some surgical procedures (orthopedic surgery, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, et cetera) throughout their lives.Areas covered: Articles on surgery and hemophilia published during the year 2020 were analyzed. The principal inclusion factor was a focal point on surgery in hemophilia. Articles that did not concentrate on this subject were not included.Expert opinion: Turoctocog alfa pegol appears to be efficacious for perioperative hemostatic treatment of all kind of surgical operations (minor and major) in PWH A. Long-acting recombinant coagulation factor IX (FIX) albumin fusion protein (rIX-FP) seems to facilitate perioperative management in PWH B. In people suffering from von Willebrand disease (VWD), the utilization of concentrates of von Willebrand factor (VWF) is commonly used for the decrease of exaggerated bleeding during surgical operations. On-demand management with 30-60 IU/kg may keep hemostasis under control during all kind of surgical operations. Factor concentrates with extended half-life (EHL) are a good option to standard half-life (SHL) products in PWH undergoing surgery, permitting diminished number of infusions and inferior consuming, particularly for EHL factor IX (FIX). Supplementary factor VIII (FVIII) and/or bypassing management have demonstrated to be secure and efficacious in association with emicizumab for major surgical procedures.