Joint scores in hemophilic arthropathy in children: Developing country perspectives

Structural alterations and pain perception at the ankle joint in patients with haemophilia

BACKGROUND

Patients with haemophilia (PwH) suffer from chronic pain due to joint alterations induced by recurring haemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between structural alterations and pain perception at the ankle joint in PwH.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Ankle joints of 79 PwH and 57 healthy controls (Con) underwent ultrasound examination (US) and assessment of pain sensitivity via pressure pain thresholds (PPT). US discriminated between joint activity (synovitis) and joint damage (cartilage and/or bone degeneration) applying the HEAD-US protocol. Based on US-findings, five subgroups were built: PwH with activity/damage, PwH with activity/no damage, PwH with no activity/no damage, controls with activity/no damage and controls with no activity/no damage.

RESULTS

Joint activity and joint damage were significantly increased in ankles of PwH compared to Con (p ≤.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that structural alterations negatively impact pain perception. This is particularly evident when comparing PwH with both activity/damage to PwH with no activity/no damage at the tibiotalar joint (p = .001). At the fibulotalar joint, no significant differences were observed between PwH subgroups. Further analysis showed that both joint activity and joint damage result in an increase in pain sensitivity (p ≤.001).

CONCLUSION

The data suggest a relation between joint activity, joint damage and pain perception in PwH. Even minor changes due to synovitis appear to affect pain perception, with the effect not intensifying at higher levels of inflammation. In terms of joint damage, severe degeneration leads to a sensitised pain state most robustly, whereas initial changes do not seem to significantly affect pain perception.

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.

The effects of close kinetic chain exercises on proprioception and physical activity level in pediatric patients with hemophilia

INTRODUCTION

Knee joint proprioception is affected, and lower extremity functioning declines over time in patients with hemophilia A.

AIM

To investigate the effects of a structured exercise programme consisting of the close kinetic chain (CKC) exercises on proprioception and physical activity level in pediatric patients with hemophilia.

METHODS

A total of 21 patients with hemophilia A who had at least one target knee joint were randomized into three groups: Study Group (SG, n = 7), Conventional Treatment Group (CTG, n = 7) and Control Group (CG, n = 7). The SG received a structured, lower limb-specific exercise protocol consisting of CKC exercises 2 days a week for 12 weeks, in addition to prophylactic treatment. The CTG received exercise training as described in the published literature. The CG continued to receive prophylactic treatment during the study period. Proprioception was measured using a digital goniometer before and after treatment in open and closed kinetic chain positions (CKCPs). The Five Times Sit to Stand (STS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia were used for the assessment of physical activity level.

RESULTS

A significant pre/post-treatment difference was found among the groups in proprioception (p = .001) and physical activity level (TUG p = .008, STS p = .001, FISH p = .006). Improvements in proprioception and physical activity level were greater in the SG compared to the other two groups (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Compared to conventional exercise, the structured exercise protocol consisting of CKC exercise training produced improvements in proprioception and physical activity in patients with hemophilia A.

Quality of life and clinical assessment of joint health in children with hemophilic arthropathy

Background

Hemophilic arthropathy results in pain, deformity, and disability with severe impairments, activity limitation, and thus productivity loss. Also patterns of treatment interfere with patients’ life, so the quality of life should be assessed when evaluating treatment. The aim of this work was to assess the quality of life of children with hemophilic arthropathy and its relation to clinical joint health.

Results

The study was carried out on fifty boys with hemophilic arthropathy. All patients were subjected to thorough local clinical assessment of the most affected and/or target joint using Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS 2.1) and assessment of quality of life using Haemo quality of life (Haemo-Qol) questionnaire children and parent versions. Among the fifty hemophilic patients, 36 (72%) patients were hemophilia A and 14 (28 %) patients were hemophilia B. The age at first hemarthrosis ranged from 1 to 8 years with a mean of 2.40±1.78. While the number of joints affected in the studied patients ranged from 2 to 13 joints with a mean of 7±3.25. As regards the severity, 23 patients (46%) had severe, and 27 (54%) had moderate hemophilia. Forty four (88%) patients had different degrees of anemia. There was significant correlation between child Haemo-QoL with degree of anemia (r = 0.291, P = 0.040), mainly with view and school dimensions. There were significant correlations between child and parent Haemo-QoL and HJHS with each of the following: factor activity level, duration of the disease, duration of joint disease, number of bleeding attacks last year, and number of joints affected. Synovectomy was done for 5 (10%) patients. The total child Haemo-QoL score was statistically significantly lower after the intervention (P=0.043), with a significant improvement in physical health, feeling, view, family, school and sports, treatment, and dealing dimensions. In the current study, there were significant positive correlations between child and parent Haemo-QoL and HJHS scores.

Conclusions

The quality of life in patients with hemophilic arthropathy was influenced by the joint health, factor activity level, disease duration, number of bleeding attacks, number of joints affected (during life), duration of joint disease, and presence of hepatitis C virus.

Clinical assessment and point of care ultrasonography: How to diagnose haemophilic synovitis

BACKGROUND

The ability of clinical tools to identify early joint changes is limited. Synovitis is a fundamental finding in understanding haemophilia activity and the response to its therapies; thus, there is a need for sensitive methods to better diagnose subclinical synovitis early.

PURPOSE

Our aim was to compare the frequency with which clinical assessment and ultrasound detected synovial hypertrophy in the most frequently affected joints in patients with haemophilia (elbows, knees and ankles).

METHODS

We analysed patients with haemophilia older than 16 years who came to the haemophilia centre for routine follow-up. From the clinical assessment carried out in the consultation, the swelling, pain and history of haemarthrosis were evaluated and compared with the findings of synovial hypertrophy detected by ultrasound. This comparison was also analysed independently for elbows, knees and ankles.

RESULTS

A total of 203 joints of 66 patients with haemophilia (mean age 34 years), most of them on secondary, tertiary prophylaxis or on demand treatment, were included. In joints with swelling, pain and history of haemarthrosis, 78% of the joints showed synovial hypertrophy on ultrasound. However, in joints with no swelling, no pain and no history of haemarthrosis, 40% presented subclinical synovial hypertrophy on ultrasound. This percentage was higher in elbows than in knees and ankles.

CONCLUSION

In adults with haemophilia, physical examination and point-of-care ultrasound study provide complementary data on their joint disease. However, without ultrasound, the ability to detect subclinical synovitis is considerably reduced, especially in the elbows.

Clinical and ultrasound evaluation of patients with haemophilia on prophylaxis

INTRODUCTION

Primary prophylaxis is the current gold standard in haemophilia care for the prevention of bleeding and ensuing joint damage. Early detection of joint bleeding, whether symptomatic or subclinical, preferably during childhood, helps prevent joint deterioration and subsequent disability. The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of agreement between the Haemophilia Joint Health Score and the Haemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with Ultrasound tools in children with severe haemophilia on primary and secondary prophylaxis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients were followed up regularly at our centre. Elbows, knees and ankles were evaluated by physical examination using the Haemophilia Joint Health Score 2.1 (HJHS 2.1), and by ultrasound with HEAD-US score.

RESULTS

A total of 80 children with haemophilia on prophylaxis were included in this study. Mean age was 10.8 years (range 4-18). We evaluated 480 joints, of which 423 (88.1%) were concordant with both tools, whereas 57 (11.9%) were discordant; 377 (78.5%) joints scored 0 on HJHS, 370 (77%) on HEAD-US and 345 (72%) on both tools. The overall Kappa concordance coefficient was .656. For elbows, knees and ankles the respective values were .783, .522 and .589. For HJHS scores greater than 3, all joints scored ≥1 on HEAD-US.

CONCLUSION

HJHS and HEAD-US are used to assess joint health in children with haemophilia on prophylaxis. In this study, the level of agreement between both tools was consistent with literature values only for the elbow joint.

HJHS 2.1 and HEAD-US assessment in the hemophilic joints: How do their findings compare?

: In hemophilic patients methods are needed to better diagnose joint damage early, so that treatments can be adjusted to slow the progression of hemophilic arthropathy. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the Hemophilia Joint Health Score version 2.1 (HJHS 2.1) and hemophilia early arthropathy detection with ultrasound (HEAD-US) scales, as well as each of their individual items, to better understand the value each provides on the joint condition of patients with hemophilia. The study included data from patients with hemophilia older than 16 years of age, who attended a routine check-up. HJHS 2.1 and HEAD-US assessments were performed on the elbows, knees and ankles. We studied the correlations and agreements between the two scales and analyzed the relationship between the various items of the HJHS 2.1 (inflammation, duration, atrophy, crepitation, flexion deficit, extension deficit, pain, strength, gait) and HEAD-US (synovitis, cartilage and bone). The study included 203 joints from 66 patients with hemophilia (mean age, 34 years). We found a good correlation between the two scales (r = 0.717). However, HJHS 2.1 revealed only 54% of the cases with synovitis and 75% of the cases with osteochondral damage. HEAD-US detected several relevant physical and functional aspects in less than 53% of the cases. HJHS 2.1 and HEAD-US provide complementary data on joint disease in adults with hemophilia; both assessments should therefore, be made available. HEAD-US presented the added value of detecting early joint changes (synovitis and osteochondral damage), while HJHS 2.1 showed the added value of detecting relevant physical and functional changes.

Tissue-inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 and vascular-endothelial growth-factor in severe haemophilia A children on low dose prophylactic recombinant factor VIII: Relation to subclinical arthropathy

BACKGROUND

Subclinical synovitis occur long before clinical haemophilic arthropathy (HA). New biomarkers are needed for early detection of HA.

AIM

To compare the levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)in severe haemophilia A boys on prophylaxis and on-demand therapy to healthy boys and correlate them with the haemophilia joint health score (HJHS) & the Denver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scale; hence, determine their values in early detection of HA.

METHODS

Haemophilia joint health score, serum TIMP-1, VEGF and Denver MRI score were assessed in 50 boys with severe haemophilia A (31 on prophylactic factor VIII therapy (62%) with a dose of 15 IU/kg/twice weekly) and 50 age-matched healthy boys.

RESULTS

Boys with severe haemophilia A had significantly higher TIMP-1 240 ng/mL, SD200-350 (P < .001) and VEGF 600 pg/mL, SD400-1100 (P < .001). Their mean HJHS was 4.5 ± 3.0 (0-11) and their mean Denver MRI score was 5.55 ± 1.6 (2.00-8.00). A significant positive correlation was found between TIMP-1 and VEGF (P < .001), BMI Z-score (P = .029), HJHS (P = .041)and total MRI score (<.001). Significant correlations were found between VEGF and age (P < .001), HJHS (P = .003) and total MRI score (P < .001). Boys with severe haemophilia A on prophylaxis therapy had significantly lower HJHS (P = .021), VEGF (P < .001), TIMP-1 (P = .002) and total MRI score (P = .021) than those on on-demand therapy. Receiver operating characteristic curve, defined a cut-off value of 160 ng/mL for TIMP-1 with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 60% and that of 350 pg/mL for VEGF with a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 88% for discrimination between severe haemophilia A and healthy boys.

CONCLUSION

Vascular endothelial growth factor and TIMP-1 can be used for early detection of HA. Further prospective studies should include larger study populations. In addition, studies should address the role of various anti-VEGFs as potential therapy for HA and their impact on prevention and treatment of HA.