How we treat: haematuria in adults with haemophilia

Hematuria in aging men with hemophilia: Association with factor prophylaxis

INTRODUCTION

Macroscopic hematuria is considered a significant risk factor for urologic disease, and it is highly prevalent in people with hemophilia.

AIM

To determine whether prophylactic factor replacement therapy is associated with reduced occurrence of macroscopic hematuria in people with hemophilia in a post hoc analysis using data from a cross-sectional study conducted by the Age-Related Developments and Comobordities in Hemophilia (ADVANCE) Working Group that included males with hemophilia ≥40 years of age.

METHODS

Data from 16 contributing centers, in 13 European countries and Israel, were analyzed using logistic regression. Of 532 recruited individuals, this analysis included 370 patients with moderate or severe hemophilia who received on-demand or prophylactic therapy.

RESULTS

For patients with a history of macroscopic hematuria, we analyzed the association between prophylaxis and reoccurrence of macroscopic hematuria within the past 5 years (n = 235 patients). Frequent (≥3 times/wk) prophylaxis was negatively associated with a recent episode of macroscopic hematuria (odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18-0.76). We also analyzed whether prophylaxis corresponded to a lower lifetime number of macroscopic hematuria episodes (n = 285 patients). Frequent prophylaxis for >15 years was associated with a lower number of episodes compared to on-demand treatment (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.16-0.54), whereas nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and severe hemophilia were associated with a higher number. There was no association of prophylaxis <3 times/wk with hematuria.

CONCLUSION

Frequent prophylaxis was negatively associated with the number of episodes of macroscopic hematuria in people with hemophilia. Prevalence of macroscopic hematuria was higher among individuals with severe hemophilia and those regularly using NSAIDs.

A cross-sectional analysis of cardiovascular disease in the hemophilia population

Men with hemophilia were initially thought to be protected from cardiovascular disease (CVD), but it is now clear that atherothrombotic events occur. The primary objective of the CVD in Hemophilia study was to determine the prevalence of CVD and CVD risk factors in US older men with moderate and severe hemophilia and to compare findings with those reported in age-comparable men in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort. We hypothesized if lower factor levels are protective from CVD, we would see a difference in CVD rates between more severely affected and unaffected men. Beginning in October 2012, 200 patients with moderate or severe hemophilia A or B (factor VIII or IX level ≤ 5%), aged 54 to 73 years, were enrolled at 19 US hemophilia treatment centers. Data were collected from patient interview and medical records. A fasting blood sample and electrocardiogram (ECG) were obtained and assayed and read centrally. CVD was defined as any angina, any myocardial infarction by ECG or physician diagnosis, any self-reported nonhemorrhagic stroke or transient ischemic attack verified by physicians, or any history of coronary bypass graft surgery or coronary artery angioplasty. CVD risk factors were common in the population. Compared with men of similar age in the ARIC cohort, patients with hemophilia had significantly less CVD (15% vs 25.8%; P < .001). However, on an individual patient level, CVD events occur and efforts to prevent cardiovascular events are warranted. Few men were receiving secondary prophylaxis with low-dose aspirin, despite published opinion that it can be used safely in this patient population.

[Treatment of haemophilia in Austria]

This guideline which is endorsed by the Austrian Society of Haemophilia, the Austrian Society of Paediatrics, and the Austrian Society of Haematology & Medical Oncology is intended to give a clear and practical guidance for diagnosing and treating haemophilia in Austria. In the treatment of haemophilia there are few controlled interventional trials, and recommendations usually have a rather low level of evidence.The main basis for this paper are the new international guidelines by the World Federation of Hemophilia, published in 2013. These were adapted according to the local situation and experience.Covered topics are diagnostics, control visits, pharmacological treatment options, prophylaxis and treatment in children and adults, possible problems arising in haemophilia carriers and special aspects like home therapy, options for venous catheters, management of various traumas, bleedings and interventions, including dental procedures, and last not least inhibitors and their treatment.

Heavy hematuria requiring cystectomy in a patient with hemophilia A: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by a deficiency in factor VIII. Hemophilia A affects 1 in 5,000-10,000 males. Hematuria is frequent in hemophilia. Hematuria in hemophilia is generally considered benign and manageable with conservative therapy; however, severe hematuria requiring surgical therapy has rarely been reported.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 60-year-old male with hemophilia A presented with persistent gross hematuria of unknown cause. He was treated with recombinant factor VIII products, followed by several conservative therapies as follows: clot evacuation by vesicoclysis, continuous bladder irrigation with normal saline, and intravesical instillation of aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox); however, these failed to resolve the hemorrhaging. The patient was offered and consented to cystectomy with an ileal conduit. Intraoperative clotting was normal with the infusion of adequate recombinant factor VIII products and transfusion of fresh-frozen plasma, and the procedure was performed safely. After surgery, the patient had blood in his stool several times. No bleeding site was demonstrated in the colon by colonoscopy and (99m)Technetium-human serum albumin-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid scintigraphy demonstrated that the extravasation of radioactive isotope was detected at the anal side of terminal ileum but not at the oral side. These findings were suspected to be bleeding from the ileoileal anastomosis. However, the bleeding was managed with recombinant factor VIII products.

CONCLUSIONS

Cystectomy in hemophilia may be safe, if monitored appropriately. Urinary diversion using the intestine may be avoided because anastomotic hemorrhage may become a problem.