Subclinical synovial proliferation in patients with severe haemophilia A: The value of ultrasound screening and biochemical markers

The proportion of young male hemophilia patients who underwent ultrasound examinations: an observational study using a nationwide claims database

BACKGROUND

Advances in hemophilia treatment have reduced bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia (PWH) and improved their musculoskeletal prognosis; however, complete prevention of musculoskeletal disorders has not been achieved. Recently, the usefulness of ultrasound (US) examinations in the musculoskeletal assessment of PWH has been reported, but the actual use of US has been suggested to be limited. The aim of this study was to clarify the extent to which US is being performed on young male PWH at medical institutions in Japan.

METHODS

This was an observational study using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan. We identified almost all male PWH aged under 30 years who were prescribed hemostatic agents between 2015 and 2021 in Japan. For each year, we calculated the proportion of PWH who underwent US and, as a sensitivity analysis, the proportion of PWH who underwent US examinations for musculoskeletal disease. The Cochran‒Armitage trend test was used to examine changes in the number of PWH who underwent US examinations over the observation period. The Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients were calculated from the proportion of US examinations performed at each medical institution annually.

RESULTS

A total of 2137-2483 male PWH younger than 30 years were identified annually. The annual proportion of PWH who underwent US ranged from 6.1 to 12.9%. By age group, the annual proportions of US were 6.7-14.4%, 8.1-16.6%, and 2.0-8.7% for 0-9, 10-19, and 20-29 years, respectively. The annual proportions of musculoskeletal US were 2.9-7.7%. The proportion of PWH who underwent US increased significantly over the seven-year period; however, it varied by medical institution (Gini coefficients 0.85-0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of US for young PWH is becoming more widespread in Japan. However, US is performed at different rates among medical institutions.

Contemporary approaches to treat people with hemophilia: what's new and what's not?

The care of people with hemophilia with access to treatment has evolved over the past 70 years, with an average life expectancy like unaffected peers. For people with hemophilia living in low- and middle-income countries, the same is not true because of the lack of access to diagnosis and treatment. It is imperative to close gaps in care that exist throughout the world. Here, we provide a narrative review of hemophilia and the treatments available to people with hemophilia A and B with the goal of achieving a hemophilia-free state. We aim to provide information on what is new and what gaps remain that preclude equitable outcomes for everyone with hemophilia. Information on the current state of hemophilia care and outcomes, the products available for the treatment of people with hemophilia, comprehensive interdisciplinary care of people with hemophilia, and the remaining gaps in care for people with hemophilia were assembled by the authors using relevant literature. Research must focus on preventing all bleeding, and new approaches to detect joint bleeding are needed. Training on and implementation of comprehensive interdisciplinary care is needed to elevate the standards of care in low- and middle-income countries. The development and introduction of improved factor replacement and nonfactor products, such as second-generation bispecific monoclonal antibodies and targeted inhibitors of the anticoagulant mechanisms along with genetic therapies, have the possibility of normalizing hemostasis and achieving health equity for people with hemophilia. Improved outcomes and, ultimately, health equity, can only be realized if diagnosis, education, and care are accessible to everyone living with hemophilia worldwide.

Quantitative MRI assessment of joint effusion using T2-relaxometry at 3 Tesla: a feasibility and reproducibility study

OBJECTIVE

T2-relaxometry could differentiate between physiological and haemorrhagic joint effusion (≥ 5% blood) in vitro. Are quantitative T2-relaxation time measurements of synovial fluid feasible and reproducible in vivo in clinically bleed-free joints of men with haemophilia?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we measured T2-relaxation times of synovial fluid in clinically bleed-free ankles, knees or elbows of men with severe haemophilia A using a T2-mapping sequence (duration ≤ 7 min) at 3 Tesla MRI. Manual and circular regions of interest (ROI) were drawn in the synovial fluid of each joint by two independent observers to measure T2-relaxation times. Measurement feasibility was expressed as the success rate of the measurements by both observers. The interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility of the measurements were evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient of absolute agreement (ICC) and the limits of agreement (LoA) from Bland Altman analysis.

RESULTS

We evaluated 39 clinically bleed-free joints (11 ankles, 12 knees, 16 elbows) of 39 men (median age, 24 years; range 17-33) with severe haemophilia A. The success rate of the T2-measurements was ≥ 90%. Interobserver reliability was good to excellent (manual ROI: ICC = 0.92, 95% CI 0.76-0.97; circular ROI: ICC = 0.82, 95% CI 0.66-0.91) and interobserver agreement was adequate (manual ROI: LoA = 71 ms; circular ROI: LoA = 146 ms). Intraobserver reliability was good to excellent (manual ROI: ICC = 0.78, 95% CI - 0.06-0.94; circular RO: ICC = 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99) and intraobserver agreement was good (manual ROI: LoA = 63 ms; circular ROI: LoA = 41 ms).

CONCLUSION

T2-relaxometry of synovial fluid in haemophilia patients is feasible with good interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility.

Optimizing long-term joint health in the treatment of hemophilia

INTRODUCTION

The improved quality of care and increased drug availability have shifted the goal of treating people with hemophilia from life-threatening bleeding prevention to joint health preservation and quality of life amelioration. Many tools are now available to the clinician in order to optimize the management of hemophilic arthropathy.

AREAS COVERED

This paper reviews the pivotal role of ultrasound evaluation in early detection of joint bleeding and differential diagnosis of joint pain, with a focus on the feasibility of a long-term monitoring of joint health through the use of artificial intelligence and telemedicine. The literature search methodology included using keywords to search in PubMed and Google Scholar, and articles used were screened by the coauthors of this review.

EXPERT OPINION

Joint ultrasound is a practical point-of-care tool with many advantages, including immediate correlation between imaging and clinical presentation, and dynamic evaluation of multiple joints. The potential of telemedicine care, coupled with a point-of-care detection device assisted by artificial intelligence, holds promises for even earlier diagnosis and treatment of joint bleeding. A multidisciplinary approach including early intervention by physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) physicians and physiotherapists is crucial to ensure the best possible quality of life for the patient.

Integrating musculoskeletal ultrasound as a shared decision-making tool in hemophilia care: observations from a 3-year study

Background

Hemophilia significantly impacts joint health, necessitating innovative strategies for early detection and management of joint damage.

Objectives

This study assessed the impact of incorporating musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) into shared decision-making processes on prophylaxis regimens for patients with hemophilia over a 3-year period.

Methods

The "Joint Damage Monitoring by Ultrasonography in Patients with Hemophilia in Japan" study was a long-term prospective observational study conducted at Ogikubo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. It enrolled 174 participants with moderate-to-severe hemophilia A or B. Participants underwent 6 monthly MSKUS evaluations, generating 3582 images from 682 joints; the findings guided adjustments of prophylaxis.

Results

Over the 3-year period, 69.3% of participants adjusted their prophylaxis regimen at least once. Adherence, defined as the ratio of the prescribed to the actual frequency of prophylaxis administration as agreed upon by physicians and patients, was high at the beginning of the study, with an average of 91.6%, and remained high after 3 years at 94.7%. The HEAD-US scores for elbows, knees, and ankles significantly improved (all P < .0001). The spontaneous annual joint bleeding rate and Hemophilia Joint Health Scores also significantly improved (P = .001 and P = .004, respectively). Synovitis detection decreased from 12.9% to 1.6%, with the majority of identified synovitis being subclinical (11.7%) and not associated with bleeding events in the 6 months preceding detection.

Conclusion

Integrating MSKUS into hemophilia care as a shared decision-making tool significantly facilitates the early detection of joint damage and supports personalized prophylaxis adjustments, markedly improving patient outcomes.

Haemophilic arthropathy: Diagnosis, management, and aging patient considerations

Gene therapy and universal use of safer, more effective, and personalised prophylactic regimens (factor, and nonfactor) are expected to prevent joint bleeding and promote joint health in persons with haemophilia (PwH). Growing evidence suggests that subclinical bleeding, with active and inactive synovial proliferation, continues and haemophilic arthropathy remains a major morbidity in PwH despite early institution of joint prophylaxis. Joint health assessment is evolving with physical examination scores complementing imaging scores. Point-of-care ultrasound is emerging as a safe, cost-effective, and readily available tool for acute determination of musculoskeletal abnormalities, serial evaluation of joints for sonographic markers of haemophilic arthropathy, and in providing objective insight into the efficacy of new therapies. In acute haemarthrosis, arthrocentesis expedites recovery and prevent the vicious cycle of bleed-synovitis-rebleed. When synovial proliferation develops, a multidisciplinary team approach is critical with haematology, orthopaedics, and physiotherapy involvement. Synovectomy is considered for patients with chronic synovitis that fail conservative management. Non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures should always be offered and considered first. Careful patient selection, screening and early intervention increase the success of these interventions in reducing bleeding, pain, and improving joint function and quality of life. Chemical synovectomy is practical in developing countries, but radioactive synovectomy appears to be more effective. When surgical synovectomy is considered, arthroscopic/minimally invasive approach should be attempted first. In advanced haemophilic arthropathy, joint replacement and arthrodesis can be considered. While excited about the future of haemophilia management, navigating musculoskeletal challenges in the aging haemophilia population is equally important.

Challenges in ageing persons with haemophilia

As treatments for individuals with inherited bleeding disorders improve, life expectancy increases and is approaching that of the normal population. Concomitant with this we are now seeing the problems of ageing in the bleeding disorder population. Although the clear-cut association between low clotting factor levels and risk of bleeding is well recognised, a relationship between high levels, some non-factor therapies and thrombotic risk also exists. The management of thrombosis in persons with inherited bleeding disorders is complex but manageable with modern treatments and collaboration in decision making between health care professionals and patients. Despite the improvements in treatment and reduction in bleeding, mostly musculoskeletal pain continues to be a major issue with advancing age. The management of pain amongst older people with haemophilia who may have multiple comorbidities should involve a person-centred, holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to support and optimise long-term physical functioning and overall quality of life.

Arthropathy on X-rays in 363 persons with hemophilia: long-term development, and impact of birth cohort and inhibitor status

Background

Arthropathy following repeated bleeding is common in persons with hemophilia. Since the introduction of prophylaxis, treatment has intensified and joint health has improved. However, data on the long-term development of arthropathy are still scant.

Objectives

To evaluate long-term arthropathy development since the introduction of prophylaxis according to birth cohort, hemophilia severity, and inhibitor status.

Methods

This single-center historic cohort study included persons with severe and moderate hemophilia A and hemophilia B born between 1935 and 2005. Arthropathy on X-rays was evaluated using the Pettersson score. Patient and joint characteristics were studied per birth cohort (<1970, 1970-1980, 1981-1990, and >1990) and compared according to hemophilia severity. The distribution of affected joints and cumulative incidence of arthropathy were analyzed. The association of Pettersson score with birth cohort and inhibitor characteristics was explored using multivariable regression analyses adjusted for age at evaluation.

Results

In total, 1064 X-rays of 363 patients were analyzed. Of persons with severe hemophilia (n = 317, 87.3%), 244 (77.0%) developed arthropathy. Prophylaxis was started at younger ages over time, from a median of 18 to 2.1 years, and concomitantly, arthropathy decreased in consecutive birth cohorts. Ankles were most commonly affected in 188 of 258 (72.9%) patients. Persons with moderate hemophilia (n = 46, 12.7%) had a lower risk of arthropathy (27/46 [58.7%]), but a reduction over time was less pronounced. In the multivariable analyses, birth cohort and age at evaluation were predictors for the development of arthropathy, while inhibitor status showed no association.

Conclusion

The development and severity of arthropathy have decreased over the past decades. However, patients have remained at risk for developing arthropathy, especially in their ankles.