Correlation between Hemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with Ultrasound (HEAD-US) score and Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) in patients with hemophilic arthropathy

Predictive parameters for spontaneous joint bleeding during emicizumab prophylaxis

ABSTRACT

Emicizumab is approved for prophylaxis of patients with hemophilia A (HA). Despite its efficacy in reducing bleeding, some patients on emicizumab still experience hemarthrosis, but no tool is yet available to identify those at a higher risk of spontaneous joint bleeding. This study aimed to evaluate whether laboratory measurements (global coagulation assays and emicizumab concentration) and/or arthropathy scores can distinguish patients at higher risk of spontaneous joint bleeding while on emicizumab prophylaxis. A thrombin generation assay was performed upon the addition of tissue factor and synthetic phospholipids. Nonactivated thromboelastography was performed on citrated whole blood. Emicizumab concentrations were measured using a modified 1-stage factor VIII assay. The degree of hemophilic arthropathy was assessed using the Hemophilia Joint Health Score and Hemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with Ultrasound (HEAD-US) score. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the association between variables and bleeding. The predictive power of these variables was investigated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Forty patients with severe HA, with or without inhibitors, on emicizumab prophylaxis were enrolled in an observational cohort study. Ten of 40 developed spontaneous joint bleeding. None of the laboratory parameters were able to distinguish patients with a higher risk of spontaneous joint bleeding. ROC analysis showed that during emicizumab prophylaxis, only the presence of synovitis and a higher HEAD-US score were associated with spontaneous joint bleeding (area under the curve, 0.84). A greater degree of arthropathy and the presence of synovitis could help predict the risk of spontaneous joint bleeding in patients with HA on emicizumab prophylaxis.

Current Status and Challenges in Delivering Comprehensive Care for Patients with Hemophilia

The importance of comprehensive care as a treatment strategy for patients with hemophilia is recognized worldwide. Comprehensive care entails addressing full spectrum of medical and psychological aspects impacting both patients and their families. The primary objective of comprehensive care for individuals with hemophilia is to enable them to lead their daily lives just as anyone else would. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to have a positive and collaborative approach across various healthcare disciplines. This extends beyond clinical specialists, encompassing pediatricians, hematologists, orthopedic surgeons, dental and oral surgeons, gynecologists, nurses, physical therapists, clinical psychologists, and other professionals from diverse fields. This review article discusses the current status and challenges associated with comprehensive care for patients with hemophilia. We categorize these challenges as follows: hemophilic arthritis, rehabilitation, oral care, transitioning from pediatric to adult care, addressing carrier issues, and providing psychological care. There is still substantial work to be undertaken in addressing these hurdles and advancing the quality of comprehensive care for hemophilia patients.

Foam roller-based self-induced myofascial therapy in patients with hemophilic knee arthropathy: a multicenter, single-blind, randomized clinical study

BACKGROUND

Hemophilia is a congenital coagulopathy characterized by degenerative joint damage. Self-induced myofascial therapy aims to decrease pain and improve tissue mobility, functionality and proprioception.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of self-induced myofascial release in patients with hemophilic knee arthropathy.

DESIGN

This is a randomized clinical study.

SETTING

This study was carried out in different patient associations.

POPULATION

Fifty-two patients with hemophilia were included in the study.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to the experimental group (daily home protocol of foam roller-based self-induced myofascial therapy for 8 weeks) or the control group (no intervention). The variables were the frequency of hemarthrosis (self-reporting), pain intensity (visual analog scale), range of motion (goniometry) and muscle strength (dynamometry). All variables were evaluated at baseline, post-treatment and after a 10-week follow-up.

RESULTS

The patients included in the experimental group showed significant improvements in terms of a decrease in frequency of hemarthrosis (mean difference [MD]=-0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.81; -0.41) and pain intensity (MD=-0.33; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.18), increased range of motion (MD=0.88; 95% CI: 0.39; 1.37), strength in quadriceps (MD=0.88; 95% CI: 0.39; 1.37). (MD=12.39; 95% CI: 3.44; 21.34) and hamstrings (MD=7.85; 95% CI: 0.60; 15.11). There were intergroup differences in the frequency of hemarthrosis (F=14.51; P<0.001), pain intensity (F=9.14; P<0.001) and range of motion (F=13.58; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Self-induced myofascial therapy can be an effective complementary technique in the treatment of patients with hemophilic arthropathy. Self-induced myofascial therapy can reduce the frequency of knee hemarthrosis in patients with hemophilia. This technique can improve pain intensity and range of motion in patients with hemophilic knee arthropathy.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

Hemophilic knee arthropathy is characterized by chronic pain, decreased range of motion, and periarticular muscle atrophy. Foam roller-based self-induced myofascial therapy can reduce the frequency of hemarthrosis and pain intensity and improve range of motion in patients with hemophilic arthropathy. Foam roller-based self-induced myofascial therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with hemophilia. The inclusion of self-induced myofascial therapy exercises in the approach to degenerative joint pathologies may be an effective and safe treatment option.

Hemophilic arthropathy: how to diagnose subclinical bleeding early and how to orthopedically treat a damaged joint

INTRODUCTION

It is important to know the current status of hemophilic arthropathy diagnoses, treatments, complications, and outcomes in developed countries.

AREAS COVERED

A bibliographic search in PubMed for articles published from 1 January 2019 through 12 June 2023 was performed.

EXPERT OPINION

In developed countries with specialized hemophilia treatment centers, primary hematological prophylaxis (started before the age of 2 years and after no more than one joint bleed) has almost completely eliminated the joint-related problems of the disease. The ideal goal of zero hemarthroses can be achieved only with intense and well-dosed prophylaxis: intravenous infusion of coagulation factor - standard half-life or extended half-life; periodic or subcutaneous injections of nonfactor products (emicizumab or fitusiran). However, hemophilic arthropathy continues to occur due to subclinical joint hemorrhages. In one study, 16% of the joints without reported hemarthroses showed signs of previous subclinical bleeding (hemosiderin deposits with/without synovial hypertrophy on magnetic resonance imaging were deemed signs of previous subclinical bleeding), rendering evidence for subclinical bleeding in people with severe hemophilia with lifelong prophylaxis treatment. Subclinical joint hemorrhages can be averted only by employing accurate and tailored prophylaxis.

Screening for subclinical synovial proliferation in haemophilia: A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing physical examination and ultrasound

INTRODUCTION

Ultrasound is increasingly used as addition to physical examination for detection of subclinical joint changes in haemophilia. However, the added value of ultrasound to physical examination for detecting synovial proliferation is not fully established.

AIM

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of swelling at physical examination for ultrasound-detected synovial proliferation in haemophilia.

METHODS

PubMed and EMBASE were searched up to 2 August 2022. Studies reporting original data on occurrence of swelling at physical examination and synovial proliferation on ultrasound of index joints in persons with haemophilia were included. Risk of bias and applicability were assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) tool. Diagnostic accuracy parameters of swelling at physical examination for ultrasound-detected synovial proliferation were determined. Summary sensitivity and specificity were calculated using a bivariate random-effects model.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies reporting on swelling at physical examination and synovial proliferation on ultrasound in 2890 joints of 627 patients were included. Prevalence of subclinical synovial proliferation ranged between 0% and 55%. Sensitivity of swelling was low [summary estimate .34; 95% confidence interval (CI) .24-.46], while specificity was high (summary estimate .97; CI .92-.99). Predictive values varied widely due to inter-study differences in prevalence of synovial proliferation.

CONCLUSION

Joint swelling has low sensitivity for presence of ultrasound-detected synovial proliferation in haemophilia, suggesting underestimation of synovial proliferation by physical examination alone. Consequently, ultrasound screening may generate important information on synovial changes which would otherwise remain undetected.

Assessment of vascular endothelial growth factor a serum level in pediatric hemophilic arthropathy

Background

Children with hemophilia have serious, recurrent joint bleeding that causes disabilities. Regular factor VIII concentrate replacements have not yet completely stopped intra-articular subclinical hemorrhages and permanent joint damage. The prevention of joint damage requires the early detection and management of this hemorrhage. Neoangiogenesis is crucial in the development of synovitis after recurrent hemophilic joint bleeding. This study assessed the level of serum Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) as a vascular biomarker in children with hemophilia A to determine its possible role as a diagnostic biomarker for hemophilic arthropathy.

Result

A case–control study with 30 male children who had hemophilia A and 30 healthy controls was conducted. Patients had significantly higher serum VEGF-A levels than the control group (specificity was 70.0% and sensitivity was 83.3%). Hemophilia severity and Hemophilia Joint Health Score had a significant positive correlation with VEGF-A.

Conclusion

Children with hemophilia A had significantly higher levels of VEGF-A in their serum. Additionally, VEGF-A had a significant positive correlation with Hemophilia Joint Health Score as well as the severity of the disease. In children with hemophilia A, VEGF-A can be used as a marker for early hemophilic arthropathy detection.

How to assess, detect, and manage joint involvement in the era of transformational therapies: Role of point-of-care ultrasound

BACKGROUND

Patients with haemophilia experience recurring hemarthroses, mainly involving knees, elbows and ankles, which lead to haemophilic arthropathy, the major chronic complication of haemophilia. With new approaches to haemophilia treatment leading to fewer joint bleeds and, in some cases, no bleeding events, assessing whether current outcome assessment tools provide adequate sensitivity and specificity for management and care of patients with haemophilia is needed.

METHODS

An overview of current imaging tools for monitoring joint health, novel osteochondral damage and synovial proliferation biomarkers, and the relationship between assessments for functionality and imaging modalities is provided. Usefulness and sensitivity of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to complement other assessments and use of ultrasound to monitor haemophilic arthropathy are also examined.

RESULTS

This review provides rationale for haemophilia teams to move beyond traditional outcomes in joint imaging, as well as guidance and evidence on assessment of joint health for potential new treatment modalities, such as gene therapy. The role of POCUS in the existing paradigm for haemophilia care and management along with the use of ultrasound as a complement to other outcome assessment tools are also discussed. Finally, the clinical effects of subclinical bleeding on joint function are described, to motivate screening for synovial proliferation.

CONCLUSION

POCUS can facilitate the early detection of joint damage and can monitor disease progression while providing insights into the efficacy of treatment regimens, and should be considered as an essential assessment tool for managing the care of patients with haemophilia.

Long-term prophylaxis: what are our options and how to define success?

Currently, we are at an enviable place in hemophilia treatment. Although full prophylaxis with standard half-life recombinant or plasma-derived factor concentrates has been definitively shown to be inadequate for full protection against bleeding and arthropathy, a number of novel therapies with improved hemostatic enhancement are clinically available or in promising clinical trials. In order to compare outcomes among a number of very efficacious therapies, it is necessary to have sensitive tools employed in long-term follow-up for several years for participants with no or minimal joint disease. The tool kit must be comprehensive, with outcomes of bleeding, factor level restoration or hemostatic capacity, joint structure, joint function, pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. This article reviews the history of prophylaxis, the promise of emerging therapies, and the sensitive tools used to assess long-term efficacy for joint structure and function.

Joint status and related risk factors in patients with severe hemophilia A: a single-center cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Hemophilic arthropathy is the most common complication of severe hemophilia A. This study aims to investigated joint status and related risk factors in patients with severe hemophilia A (PWSHA).

METHODS

This single-center study included 31 patients. Six index joints (both elbows, knees, and ankles) were evaluated using the Hemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with UltraSound in China (HEAD-US-C) and Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS). Treatment adherence was measured using the Validated Hemophilia Regimen Treatment Adherence Scale-Prophylaxis (VERITAS-Pro). We analyzed the influence of age, treatment delay (the interval between diagnosis and the initiation of treatment), prophylaxis, and treatment adherence on joint outcomes.

RESULTS

All patients were male (median age, 22 years). The median age at diagnosis was 1 year; that at initial treatment was 5 years. All patients experienced joint bleeding. HEAD-US-C and HJHS scores were positively correlated (R = 0.70, P < 0.0001). Median [range] HEAD-US-C and HJHS scores were 15 [0-36] and 32 [2-49], respectively. Age was positively correlated with both HEAD-US-C (P = 0.002) and HJHS scores (P < 0.0001). The difference of HEAD-US-C scores between groups with ≤1 year and >1 year treatment delay was close to significant (P = 0.055). HJHS scores were significantly different between these two groups (P = 0.03). Joint assessment scores were not significantly different between on-demand and low-dose prophylaxis groups. VERITAS-Pro scores were correlated with both HEAD-US-C and HJHS scores (P = 0.046 and P = 0.005, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Hemophilic arthropathy was pervasive in PWSHA. Age and poor adherence were significantly correlated with joint damage. Prompt treatment and adherence improvement may reduce severity.

Hemosiderin deposition evaluation in hemophilic ankle joints: association between US finding and gradient-recalled echo MR imaging sequence

Background

Repeated bleeding in hemophilic arthropathy (HA) may result in severe degenerative changes and joint destruction. The gradient-recalled echo (GRE) sequence MR is proved to be the best method to detect hemosiderin deposition. However, MR is not widely available in developing countries, including Indonesia. Some studies have proposed ultrasonography (US) as an alternative tool in evaluating hemophilic joint. However, there is still some disagreement on the ability of US to detect hemosiderin deposition.

Objective

To evaluate the association between US and GRE-sequence MR imaging in detecting hemosiderin deposition in hemophilic ankle joint.

Material and methods

A total of 102 sites from 17 ankle joints of 11 boys with severe hemophilia A underwent US examination using a high-frequency linear array transducer. GRE-sequence MR examination was performed in sagittal view consistent with the sites scanned by US. Both examinations were performed on the same day, but MR interpretation was performed blindly at different times. The association between US and GRE-sequences in detecting hemosiderin deposition was analyzed using McNemar’s test.

Results

Statistical analysis showed a significant association (p value < 0.001) between US and GRE MR in detecting hemosiderin deposition, but the association is weak (R = 0.26). Sensitivity and specificity of US for detecting hemosiderin deposition were 46.84% (95%CI: 35.51–58.40) and 95.65% (95%CI: 78.05–99.89), respectively, with positive predictive value 97.37% (95%CI: 84.29–99.61), negative predictive value 34.38% (95%CI: 29.50–39.60) and accuracy 57.84% (95%CI: 47.66–67.56).

Conclusion

There was a weak association between US and GRE-sequences in detecting hemosiderin deposition of hemophilic ankle joint. ​​