Adherence to prophylaxis and quality of life in children and adolescents with severe haemophilia A.

Treatment adherence in adolescents with chronic diseases is around 50%, and failure is more common in preventive therapy. In haemophilia, contradictory results are reported by the published studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate adherence with factor VIII (FVIII) prophylaxis in Spanish patients with severe haemophilia A between age 6 and 20 years. Data were collected retrosp-ectively in the previous 2 years. The primary endpoint was the absolute adherence index (AAI), and the endpoints were related to clinical status, age, prophylaxis regimen, responsibility for factor administration and quality of life (QoL), assessed by the Haemo-QoL questionnaires. A total of 78 patients from 14 Spanish hospitals were recruited. Adherence ranged between -64.4 and 66.7 (mean -3.08). No differences were observed between children and adolescents (7.11 vs. 6.39; P = 0.809). A statistically significant association (P < 0.010) between infra adherent group and target joint was found, as was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.010) between the number of bleeding episodes experienced by the adherent group (mean 1.4) and by infra adherents (mean 4.5). There was no significant difference between AAI and prophylactic regimen (6.35 vs. 6.96, P = 0.848), neither between AAI and the person responsible for factor administration (5.57 vs. 8.79, P = 0.326). The Haemo-QoL scores (8-12 years) were related to adherence level (P < 0.05). Adherence was approximately ideal and patients perceived a high QoL. Because of the repercussions for compliance, it is essential to work during puberty on emotional and self-acceptance aspects of the disease, as well as coping, and the patient's family, school and health team relationships.

[Cost-per-responder analysis comparing romiplostim to rituximab in the treatment of adult primary immune thrombocytopenia in Spain]. / Coste por paciente con respuesta a romiplostim y rituximab en el tratamiento de la trombocitopenia inmune primaria en España.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Romiplostim, a thrombopoietin-receptor agonist, is approved for second-line use in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients where surgery is contraindicated. Anti-CD20 rituximab, an immunosuppressant, is currently used off-label. This analysis compared the cost per responder for romiplostim versus rituximab in Spain. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A decision analytic model was constructed to estimate the 6-month cost per responding patient (achieving a platelet count≥50×10(9)/l) according to the most robust published data. A systematic literature review was performed to extract response rates from phase 3 randomized controlled trials. Romiplostim patients received weekly injections; rituximab patients received 4 weekly intravenous infusions. Medical resource costs were obtained from Spanish reimbursement lists. Treatment non-responders incurred bleeding-related event (BRE) management costs as reported in clinical trials. Medical resource utilization and clinical practice were based on Spanish treatment guidelines and validated by local clinical experts. RESULTS: The literature review identified phase 3 romiplostim trials with a response rate of 83%. Due to a lack of phase 3 controlled rituximab trials, a systematic review of studies was selected as the best source, reporting a response rate of 62.5%. The mean cost per patient for romiplostim was €16,289 and €13,459 for rituximab. Rituximab resulted in a 10% higher cost per responder (€21,535 versus €19,625 for romiplostim). Romiplostim use reduced drug administration, intravenous immunoglobulin, and bleeding-related costs compared to rituximab. CONCLUSIONS: Due to its high level of efficacy leading to lower BRE costs, romiplostim represents an efficient use of resources for adult ITP patients in the Spanish Healthcare System.

Diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de la trombocitopenia inmune primaria / Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of primary immune thrombocytopenia

El documento de consenso sobre el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de la trombocitopenia inmune primaria fue elaborado en 2010 por especialistas con reconocida experiencia en esta enfermedad bajo el auspicio de la Sociedad Española de Hematología y Hemoterapia y la Sociedad Española de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas, con el fin de adaptar a España las recomendaciones de los documentos de consenso internacional recientemente publicados. La decisión de iniciar tratamiento se basa en las manifestaciones hemorrágicas y en la cifra de plaquetas (<20×109/L). El tratamiento de primera línea son los glucocorticoides, aunque durante un plazo limitado de 4-6 semanas, reservándose la adición de inmunoglobulinas intravenosas para pacientes con hemorragia grave. La esplenectomía es el tratamiento de segunda línea más eficaz. Para los pacientes refractarios a la esplenectomía y para aquellos con contraindicación o rechazo, los nuevos agentes trombopoyéticos son los fármacos de elección por su eficacia y excelente perfil de seguridad. El resto de las opciones terapéuticas presentan tasa de respuesta y duración muy variables, y carecen de estudios controlados que permitan establecer recomendaciones claras. El seguimiento debe individualizarse, aunque, como mínimo, en pacientes sin tratamiento activo, se recomienda un hemograma cada 3-6 meses, y programas de educación al paciente para que consulte en caso de hemorragia, cirugía o procedimiento invasor y gestación. En una considerable proporción de la población pediátrica la enfermedad tiene tendencia a la remisión espontánea. Los glucocorticoides a altas dosis en pauta corta y las inmunoglobulinas intravenosas son el tratamiento de elección. Los tratamientos de segunda línea y los posteriores deben controlarse en centros especializados

The consensus document on the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of primary immune thrombocytopenia was developed in 2010 by specialists with recognized expertise in this disease under the auspices of the Spanish Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy and the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, with the aim to adapt to Spain the recommendations of the recently published international consensus documents. The decision to start treatment is based on bleeding manifestations and platelet count (<20×109/L). The first-line treatment is corticosteroids, albeit for a limited period of 4-6 weeks. The addition of intravenous immunoglobulin is reserved to patients with severe bleeding. Splenectomy is the most effective second-line treatment. For patients refractory to splenectomy and those with contraindications or patient refusal, the new thrombopoietic agents are the drugs of choice due to their efficacy and excellent safety profile. The other treatment options have highly variable response rates, and the absence of controlled studies does not allow to establish clear recommendations. Monitoring should be individualized. In patients without active treatment, blood counts are recommended every 3-6 months, and the patient should be instructed to consult in case of bleeding, surgery or invasive procedure and pregnancy. In most of the pediatric population, the disease tends to spontaneous remission. High-dose corticosteroids in short course and intravenous immunoglobulin are the treatment of choice. Second- and further-line treatments should be monitored in specialized centers (AU)

[Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of primary immune thrombocytopenia]. / Diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de la trombocitopenia inmune primaria.

The consensus document on the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of primary immune thrombocytopenia was developed in 2010 by specialists with recognized expertise in this disease under the auspices of the Spanish Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy and the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, with the aim to adapt to Spain the recommendations of the recently published international consensus documents. The decision to start treatment is based on bleeding manifestations and platelet count (<20×10(9)/L). The first-line treatment is corticosteroids, albeit for a limited period of 4-6 weeks. The addition of intravenous immunoglobulin is reserved to patients with severe bleeding. Splenectomy is the most effective second-line treatment. For patients refractory to splenectomy and those with contraindications or patient refusal, the new thrombopoietic agents are the drugs of choice due to their efficacy and excellent safety profile. The other treatment options have highly variable response rates, and the absence of controlled studies does not allow to establish clear recommendations. Monitoring should be individualized. In patients without active treatment, blood counts are recommended every 3-6 months, and the patient should be instructed to consult in case of bleeding, surgery or invasive procedure and pregnancy. In most of the pediatric population, the disease tends to spontaneous remission. High-dose corticosteroids in short course and intravenous immunoglobulin are the treatment of choice. Second- and further-line treatments should be monitored in specialized centers.

Ascitis fetal aislada idiopática: caso clínico / Isolated idiophatic fetal ascites: a case report

La ascitis fetal aislada es una entidad comúnmente relacionada a distintas patologías, el diagnóstico final se realiza cuando se han descartado sus múltiples causas. Presentamos el caso de una ascitis fetal de causa idiopática, que no tuvo repercusión en el desarrollo fetal y neonatal. El diagnóstico oportuno y manejo adecuado permite buenos resultados perinatales.

Isolated fetal ascites is an entity commonly related to various diseases, the final diagnosis is made when multiple causes have been ruled out. We report an idiopathic fetal ascites, which had no effect on fetal and neonatal development. Early diagnosis and proper management allows good perinatal outcome.