Health promotion for young patients with haemophilia

Machine learning model for predicting physical activity related bleeding risk in Chinese boys with haemophilia A

BACKGROUND

Physical activity is a crucial part of an active lifestyle for haemophiliac children. However, the fear of bleeds has been identified as barriers to participating physical activity for haemophiliac children even with prophylaxis. Lack of evidence and metrics driven by data is key problem.

OBJECTIVES

We aim to develop machine learning models based on clinical data with multiple potential factors considered to predict risk of physical activity bleeding for haemophilia children with prophylaxis.

METHODS

From this cohort study, we collected information on 98 haemophiliac children with adequate prophylaxis (trough FVIII:C level > 1 %). The involved potential predictor variables include demographic information, treatment information, physical activity, joint evaluation, and pharmacokinetic parameters, etc. We applied CoxPH, Random Survival Forests (RSF) and DeepSurv to construct prediction models for the risk of bleeding during physical activities. All three survival analysis models were internally and externally validated.

RESULTS

A total of 98 patients were enrolled in this study. Their median age was 7.9 (5.5, 10.2) years. The CoxPH, RSF and DeepSurv models' discriminative and calibration abilities were all high, and the RSF model had the best performance (Internal validation: C-index, 0.7648 ± 0.0139; Brier Score, 0.1098 ± 0.0015; External validation: C-index, 0.7260 ± 0.0154; Brier Score, 0.0930 ± 0.0018). The prediction curves demonstrated that the developed RSF model can distinguish the risks well between bleeding and non-bleeding patients, as well as patients with different levels of physical activity. Meanwhile, the feature importance analysis confirmed that physical activity bleeding was deduced by comprehensive effects of various factors, and the importance of different factors on bleeding outcome is discrepant.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed from the mechanism that it is necessary to incorporate multiple factors to accurately predict physical activity related bleeding risk. In clinical practice, the designed machine learning models can provide guidance for children with haemophilia A to positively participate in physical activity.

Hemophilic Arthropathy: Barriers to Early Diagnosis and Management

Hemophilia is a congenital coagulopathy characterized by a deficiency of one of the clotting factors. It is characterized by the development of hematomas and hemarthrosis, either spontaneously or after minor trauma. The recurrence of hemarthroses leads to progressive and degenerative joint damage from childhood (hemophilic arthropathy). This arthropathy is characterized by disabling physical effects that limit the functionality and quality of life of these patients. Medical progress achieved over the last decade in the drug treatment of hemophilia has improved the medium and long-term prospects of patients with more effective and long-lasting drugs. The universal use of safer, more effective and prolonged prophylactic treatments may promote the prevention of bleeding, and also therefore, of the development of hemarthrosis and joint damage. A number of imaging instruments have been developed for the assessment of hemarthrosis and hemophilic arthropathy, using ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and simple radiology. Different physical examination scores and questionnaires allow the assessment of joint health, self-perceived activity and functionality of patients with hemophilia. The approach to these patients should be interdisciplinary. Assessment of the processes that affect pain in these patients and the development of pain education models should be implemented. Expert advice and information to patients with hemophilia should be based on individual functional prevention diagnoses, advice on available therapies and sports practice, as well as health recommendations.

Sports and Children with Hemophilia: Current Trends

Hemophilia is a sex-linked recessive disorder characterized by a lack of blood factors necessary for clotting. This review aims to investigate the benefits of sports activities in children with hemophilia in terms of both physical and psychological wellness. Sports activity is necessary for children with hemophilia to preserve joints’ range of motion, reduce joint bleeding, improve muscle mass and strength, enhance proprioception and prevent secondary chronic diseases. In the past, high-impact sports were usually forbidden in children with hemophilia because of their high bleeding risk. Recent studies, however, have shown that prophylaxis therapy can allow a hemophilic child to take part in vigorous activities or high-impact sports. The benefits of sports activity in children with hemophilia are expressed by a better muscular trophism and an improved bone mineral density. Moreover, physical activity has a positive impact on children’s psychosocial well-being. Due to prophylaxis therapy, the quality of life of children with hemophilia is similar to their peers, and this has allowed an improvement in sports participation, including team sports.

Promoting Sports Practice in Persons with Hemophilia: A Survey of Clinicians' Perspective

Historically, people with hemophilia have been warned to avoid physical activities as a possible cause of bleeding; however, currently, sport is considered necessary, especially in the developmental age, for providing a good quality of life. A survey was proposed to a group of hematologists and sports physicians working in Puglia, Italy, to explore their approach to physical activities for their patients with hemophilia and to obtain suggestions about possible interventions to promote the access of patients to sports. The survey was answered by 6 hematologists and 15 sports physicians. In total, 71% (about six patients/year/physician) of patients with hemophilia seen by sports physicians asked for counseling about sports, and 67% (about five patients/year/physician) actually practiced sports. On the other hand, only 31% (about 16 patients/year/hematologist) of patients asked hematologists questions on sports, and only 16% (about seven patients/year/hematologist) of patients with hemophilia and that were followed-up by hematologists practiced sports. The sports most often recommended to patients with hemophilia by physicians included swimming, athletics, tennis, running and gymnastics. According to hematologists, physical activity was very efficient in improving the quality of life of patients; stability of joints; their psychological, social and musculoskeletal wellbeing; and in reducing the risk of bleedings. On the other hand, physical activity was considered less important in all these areas by sport physicians. In conclusion, answers to this survey suggested that sports could be promoted among hemophilic patients by increasing the sports physicians' knowledge about hemophilia and their special role in this area. In addition, interviewed clinicians were of the opinion that increased awareness of specific guidelines and clinical practice protocols among both hematologists and sports physicians could be beneficial. Finally, answers suggested that access to fitness certification should be facilitated.

Health education and empowerment in adult patients with haemophilia

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree of education and empowerment of the patients of the Haemophilia Unit at 'La Paz' University Hospital (Madrid, Spain).Materials and methods: Haemophilic patients attending routine haemophilia consultations were asked to complete a questionnaire with a view to determining the patient´s perceived knowledge about the disease; their ability to make individual and group decisions; and whether the frequency of their hospital visits could be reduced.Results: Patients were shown to have ample knowledge about the disease. Knowledge had been acquired chiefly through personal experience and from the interaction with healthcare providers. Nearly 70% of patients felt capable of making decisions on matters affecting their health. Over half of the patients considered that their hospital visits could be reduced if they had more information. Patients experiencing the largest number of bleeding episodes were those showing the highest levels of empowerment. Over half the patients were satisfied with the institutional support they received.Conclusion: These patients with haemophilia are in general reasonably empowered on account of their personal experiences and their interaction with the healthcare providers. Current widespread access to information makes it easier to step up educational interventions in patients at lower haemorrhagic risk.