Effect of etranacogene dezaparvovec on quality of life for severe and moderately severe haemophilia B participants: Results from the phase III HOPE-B trial 2 years after gene therapy.

INTRODUCTION: For people with haemophilia B (PwHB), bleeding may occur despite prophylaxis, negatively affecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The pivotal phase 3 HOPE-B trial investigating the adeno-associated virus gene transfer product, etranacogene dezaparvovec (EDZ), demonstrated sustained factor IX (FIX) activity and bleed protection in PwHB with baseline FIX levels ≤2%. AIM: Assess how EDZ affects HRQoL in HOPE-B trial participants. METHODS: HRQoL was evaluated using generic and disease-specific patient reported outcomes (PROs) including the EQ-5D-5L and the Hem-A-QoL questionnaires. Mean domain and total scores were compared 6 months pre- and the first 2 years post-EDZ administration using repeated measures linear mixed models. The percentage of participants with minimal clinically important improvements in HRQoL was also evaluated. RESULTS: Two years post-EDZ, there were nominally significant increases in the least squares (LS) mean score for the EQ-5D-5L Index Value (.04; p = .0129), reflecting better HRQoL. Nominally significant decreases in the LS mean scores, reflecting better HRQoL, were also found for the Hem-A-QoL total score (-6.0; p < .0001) and the Treatment (-13.94; p < .0001), Feelings (-9.01; p < .0001), Future (-6.45; p = .0004) and Work/School (-5.21; p = .0098) domains. The percentage of participants with ≥15-point improvement ranged from 45.83% (95% CI: 31.37%, 60.83%) for Treatment to 13.89% (95% CI: 4.67%, 29.50%) for Family Planning. Results were similar for Year 1. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, gene therapy with EDZ improved HRQoL in the first and second years in several Hem-A-QoL domains, including Treatment, Feelings, Work/School and Future domains, whereas improvement in other aspects of HRQoL were not demonstrated.

Hemophilia carriers: quality of life and management at different life stages.

The carrier testing, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis have become an integrated part of the comprehensive care for hemophilia, but quality of life and management of carriers frequently remain suboptimal. It is paramount to evaluate the physical and psycho-social impact of them as problematic physical, psychological and social situations are not uncommon. There are to instruct them about their hemorrhagic possible symptoms and condition for offering solutions that meet their needs and help them enjoy a satisfactory quality of life in all life stages.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Canadian Haemophilia Outcomes-Kids' Life Assessment Tool (CHO-KLAT) in Côte d'Ivoire (the Ivory Coast).

INTRODUCTION: Health-related quality of life evaluation is recognized as an important outcome in the assessment of boys with haemophilia. In fact, reliable health-related quality of life data are even more critical in developing countries to advocate for government agencies to develop national haemophilia care programmes. However, validated tools are not yet available in sub-Saharan African countries. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to complete the cultural adaptation and validation of the Canadian Haemophilia Outcomes-Kids' Life Assessment Tool version2.0 (CHO-KLAT2.0) in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODS: The process included four steps: a linguistic adaptation, cognitive debriefing interviews with children and their parents, a validity assessment with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) as a comparator, and a test-retest reliability assessment. RESULTS: The initial Ivoirian version of the CHO-KLAT2.0 was developed through a linguistic adaptation performed in close collaboration with members of the local medical team and haemophilia community. Cognitive debriefings were completed with five boys and their parents, with the final Ivoirian version of the CHO-KLAT2.0 developed in September 2017. The validation process included 37 boys with haemophilia (mean age: 11.4 years; 34 with severe and three with moderate forms of haemophilia, all treated on demand) and their parents. Among the child-reported population (n = 20), we observed a mean CHO-KLAT2.0 score of 51.3 ± 9.2; there was a moderate correlation between the CHO-KLAT2.0 and PedsQL scores (r = 0.581; p = 0.007) and an inverse correlation of the CHO-KLAT2.0 and PedsQL scores with the global rating of the degree to which the boys were bothered by their haemophilia. The mean parent proxy CHO-KLAT2.0 score (n = 17) was 53.5 ± 9.8. Among the parents, we found no significant correlation between the Ivoirian CHO-KLAT2.0 and PedsQL scores or between the parent-reported scores and the parent global ratings of bother. The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.879 (95% CI: 0.673; 0.954) for the child-reported questionnaires and 0.880 (95% CI: 0.694; 0.955) for the proxy-reported questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: A cross-culturally adapted and validated version of the CHO-KLAT2.0 for Côte d'Ivoire is now available that enables baseline values to be obtained and intervention outcomes (namely, prophylaxis) to be measured in Ivoirian boys with haemophilia.

Disease-related distress among adults with haemophilia: A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Distress related to disease burden has been defined and described among people with chronic diseases including diabetes and cancer. In these populations, disease-specific distress is associated with health outcomes. Haemophilia-related distress is less understood. AIM: To identify qualitative features of haemophilia-related distress among affected adults to ultimately inform the creation of a measurement tool. METHODS: Adults with haemophilia A or B associated with a large haemophilia treatment centre in the south-eastern U.S. were recruited to participate in this qualitative study. Fifteen participants completed semi-structured telephone interviews. Interviews lasted 1-2 hours and explored experiences of distress related to various aspects of haemophilia. Interviews were audio taped, transcribed and coded using NVIVO, software for organizing, managing and analysing qualitative data. Coding was deductive and inductive, and the analysis was thematic. RESULTS: Haemophilia-related distress was broadly related to feelings of isolation and vulnerability which incorporated health system factors, physical functioning, caretaker roles and psychological considerations. Specific features associated with haemophilia-related distress included lack of trust in the knowledge of haemophilia and care provided by staff in community healthcare settings, concerns about the future such as health insurance access and ageing/disability, long-standing feelings of being different from others and feeling like an outsider, treatment burdens and fear of acute bleeds. Protective factors included supportive relationships with family, friends and haemophilia care teams through which participants received practical and emotional support. CONCLUSION: Features of haemophilia-related distress were identified. Results will facilitate distress measurement and intervention efforts to reduce distress in adults with haemophilia.

Pharmacokinetic and safety considerations when switching from standard to extended half-life clotting factor concentrates in hemophilia.

Introduction: Plenty of new FVIII/IX concentrates have been developed and entered the market of hemophilia treatment. Others are going to end the long/demanding procedures for approval. Changes of the FVIII molecule (single chain), pegylation of B-domain deleted FVIII, and fusion with Fc succeeded to improve the FVIII half-life, about 4 hours. Pegylation and fusion with albumin or Fc of rFIX caused a substantial increase of half-life, approximately 3-4 times that of FIX standard concentrates. Area covered: Extended Half-life concentrates may allow a longer time interval between the prophylaxis bolus, a feature very well accepted by young patients. Also, adherence of adolescents can be improved by these new, less demanding, concentrates. The immunogenicity of these new molecules is so far under post-marketing evaluation. The incidence of neutralizing antibodies is very low in previously treated patients, but the data on previously untreated patients are not yet assessed. The cost of some Extended Half-Life concentrates is higher than that of standard ones, and some concerns have been raised about the cost for public or private health care institutions. Expert opinion: An accurate evaluation of patients' needs, individual pharmacokinetics, and cost/effectiveness might allow a more appropriate usage of these new and expensive concentrates.

Newborn screening for haemophilia: The views of families and adults living with haemophilia in the UK.

INTRODUCTION: As genomic sequencing become more efficient and cost-effective, the number of conditions identified through newborn screening globally is set to dramatically increase. Haemophilia is a candidate condition; however, very little is known about the attitudes of the haemophilia community towards screening. AIM: This study aimed to outline the perspectives of adults with haemophilia and their families towards newborn screening. METHODS: A paper and online survey on screening were distributed to every family known to the Haemophilia Society UK. Data collection occurred between January and June 2018. In total, 327 participants completed the survey: 76% were a relative of a person with haemophilia and 24% had haemophilia themselves; 83% were living with haemophilia A and 17% with haemophilia B. RESULTS: The vast majority supported newborn screening (77%) and preferred it to other forms of screening (preconception or prenatal). Participants supported newborn screening primarily because they viewed it as a means to facilitate early support and treatment, facilitate informed decisions about future pregnancies and prevent the "diagnostic odyssey." The 23% who did not support the screen did not associate these particular benefits with newborn screening. CONCLUSION: Haemophilia emerged from this analysis as a condition that the vast majority of participants considered a "liveable" disability and one best suited to newborn screening programmes that could improve support to affected families rather than reduce the birth rate of affected children.

The impact of severe haemophilia and the presence of target joints on health-related quality-of-life.

BACKGROUND: Joint damage remains a major complication associated with haemophilia and is widely accepted as one of the most debilitating symptoms for persons with severe haemophilia. The aim of this study is to describe how complications of haemophilia such as target joints influence health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS: Data on hemophilia patients without inhibitors were drawn from the 'Cost of Haemophilia across Europe - a Socioeconomic Survey' (CHESS) study, a cost-of-illness assessment in severe haemophilia A and B across five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK). Physicians provided clinical and sociodemographic information for 1285 adult patients, 551 of whom completed corresponding questionnaires, including EQ-5D. A generalised linear model was developed to investigate the relationship between EQ-5D index score and target joint status (defined in the CHESS study as areas of chronic synovitis), adjusted for patient covariates including socio-demographic characteristics and comorbidities. RESULTS: Five hundred and fifteen patients (42% of the sample) provided an EQ-5D response; a total of 692 target joints were recorded across the sample. Mean EQ-5D index score for patients with no target joints was 0.875 (standard deviation [SD] 0.179); for patients with one or more target joints, mean index score was 0.731 (SD 0.285). Compared to having no target joints, having one or more target joints was associated with lower index scores (average marginal effect (AME) -0.120; SD 0.0262; p < 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the presence of chronic synovitis has a significant negative impact on HRQOL for adults with severe haemophilia. Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of target joints should be an important consideration for clinicians and patients when managing haemophilia.

Impact of hemophilia B on quality of life in affected men, women, and caregivers-Assessment of patient-reported outcomes in the B-HERO-S study.

INTRODUCTION: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is impaired in patients with hemophilia; however, the impact in mild/moderate hemophilia B and affected women is not well characterized. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors that affect HRQoL in adults with hemophilia B and caregivers of affected children. METHODS: US adult patients and caregivers of affected children completed distinct ~1-hour online surveys including patient-reported outcome instruments. RESULTS: In total, 299 adult patients and 150 caregivers participated. Adults with moderate hemophilia reported poorer health status (median EQ-5D-5L index score, 0.63) than those with mild (0.73) or severe (0.74) hemophilia. Women reported greater pain severity than men on the Brief Pain Inventory v2 Short Form (median, 7.00 vs 5.00). Based on the Patient Health Questionnaire, mild or worse depression was observed in >50% of adult respondents, and depression was reported more often in those with moderate and severe hemophilia vs those with mild hemophilia. Most caregivers reported at least mild depression. CONCLUSION: Pain, functional impairment, and depression/anxiety are present at higher-than-expected levels in individuals with hemophilia B. The large proportion of individuals with mild/moderate hemophilia and women with reduced health status suggests significant unmet needs in this population.

Factors associated with pain severity, pain interference, and perception of functional abilities independent of joint status in US adults with hemophilia: Multivariable analysis of the Pain, Functional Impairment, and Quality of Life (P-FiQ) study.

INTRODUCTION: Levels of pain and dysfunction appear to differ among people with hemophilia despite similar levels of joint disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine patient characteristics that influence pain and function independent of joint status. METHODS: US adults with hemophilia completed a survey that included information on clinical characteristics, demographics, and patient-reported outcome instruments assessing pain (Brief Pain Inventory v2 Short Form [BPI]), functional impairment (Hemophilia Activities List [HAL]), and health status (EQ-5D-5L). Additionally, physiotherapists optionally completed a clinical joint evaluation (Hemophilia Joint Health Score [HJHS]). Associations were examined using simple and multiple regression models. RESULTS: Of 381 adults enrolled, 240 had complete HJHS scores (median age, 32 years). After controlling for HJHS and opiate use, anxiety/anxiolytic use was significantly associated with worse pain severity and interference scores. After controlling for HJHS, the most significant predictors of functional impairment were older age, unemployment, more severe hemophilia, and greater pain. EQ-5D-5L pain/discomfort was associated with worse outcomes on most HAL scores. CONCLUSION: Unemployment, anxiety, and depression were each associated with both greater pain and functional disability after controlling for joint status. Continued attention to pain and psychosocial issues will be important in improving clinical care and research efforts in the hemophilia population.

Patient-reported outcomes and joint status across subgroups of US adults with hemophilia with varying characteristics: Results from the Pain, Functional Impairment, and Quality of Life (P-FiQ) study.

INTRODUCTION: Pain and functional impairment associated with joint disease are major problems for people with hemophilia, and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) may vary across groups defined by demographic and treatment-related characteristics. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in overall HRQoL, pain, function, and joint status between P-FiQ study subgroups. METHODS: Adult males with hemophilia and a history of joint pain/bleeding completed a pain history and the patient-reported outcome instruments EQ-5D-5L, Brief Pain Inventory v2 Short Form (BPI), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and Hemophilia Activities List (HAL); optionally, joint status was assessed (Hemophilia Joint Health Score v2.1 [HJHS]). Scores were analyzed between subgroups across sets of participant characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 381 adult males with hemophilia were enrolled, with median age of 34 years. Worse scores on EQ-5D-5L index, BPI pain severity/interference, HAL overall score, and HJHS were generally associated with being college educated, unemployment, self-reporting both acute and chronic pain, and self-reporting anxiety/depression. CONCLUSIONS: Measures of joint status and HRQoL were consistently lower in participants who had higher educational levels, were unemployed, self-reported having both acute and chronic pain, and self-reported having anxiety/depression. A greater understanding of the association of these factors with disease outcomes may improve individualized patient management.

Describing the quality of life of boys with haemophilia in China: Results of a multicentre study using the CHO-KLAT.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of haemophilia varies across countries and across regions within some countries. Similar variation has been observed in health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Relatively little is known about the HR-QoL of boys with haemophilia in China. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the HR-QoL of boys with haemophilia in China using the Canadian Haemophilia Outcomes-Kids Life Assessment Tool (CHO-KLAT). METHODS: Boys (4-18 years of age) with haemophilia and their parents were enroled in a cross-sectional study. All parents/guardians of study subjects were requested to complete a CHO-KLAT questionnaire during a clinic visit, and report on several other clinical and socioeconomic factors in the past year. Boys who were > 7 years also completed the CHO-KLAT. RESULTS: A total of 269 parents of boys with haemophilia, from 13 hospitals in 12 provinces, were enroled during 2014. The boys ranged from 4.0 to 17.9 years of age; 91% had haemophilia A, most had moderate (52%) or severe (36%) disease, and most were receiving sub-optimal on-demand therapy or low-dose prophylactic therapy. Child self-report CHO-KLAT scores were available for 171 boys ≥7 years of age and ranged from 24.2 to 85.3 with a mean of 57.6 (n = 171). Parent proxy-reported CHO-KLAT scores ranged from 25.0 to 88.7 with a mean of 55.1 (n = 269). CONCLUSION: HR-QoL scores in boys with haemophilia in China were substantially lower than reported from Canadian and European boys with haemophilia. Longer term prospective studies are required to examine the factors impacting the HR-QoL for boys with haemophilia in China.

[Perception of quality of life related with health and depression in patients with hemophilia]. / Percepción de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y la depresión en pacientes con hemofilia.

BACKGROUND: Hemophilia is a hemorrhagic disease characterized by the deficiency of either coagulation factor VIII or IX. It impacts negatively in people's quality of life and it causes side effects, such as depression. The objective was to describe and analyze the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and depression levels in a group of 50 pediatric patients with hemophilia (PPwH) and their parents. The specific objectives were: to analyze the correlation between HRQoL levels reported by patients and their parents, and to analyze the correlation between HRQoL levels and depression in PPwH. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study with a group of 50 PPwH and their parents. The Pediatric Life Quality Questionnaire [PedsQLTM 4.0] was completed by PPwH and their parents and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) was answered only by PPwH. RESULTS: The average age of PPwH was 10.66 years (SD = 2.61) and that of parents was 36.28 years (SD = 6.4). 82% suffered from hemophilia A and 70% suffered from severe hemophilia. 78% of participants felt at risk or at high risk with regards to their quality of life, and, concerning their depression levels, we found moderate symptoms in 54% and severe symptoms in 10%. CONCLUSIONS: The HRQoL and depression levels we found are alarming. They show the importance of evaluating objective and subjective indicators; in addition, we emphasize the need of assisting the severe cases detected and suggest the activities to face these health issues.

Introducción: la hemofilia es una enfermedad hemorrágica caracterizada por la deficiencia del factor VIII o IX de la coagulación. Impacta negativamente la calidad de vida de las personas y tiene efectos como la depresión. El objetivo fue describir y analizar los niveles de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) y depresión en una muestra de 50 pacientes pediátricos con hemofilia (PPcH) y sus padres. Los objetivos específicos fueron analizar la correlación entre los niveles de CVRS reportada por PPcH y sus padres, y analizar la correlación entre la CVRS y la depresión en PPcH. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, transeccional y correlacional. Participaron 50 PPcH y sus progenitores, los cuales asistieron a consulta en un hospital del tercer nivel. Se aplicó el Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida Pediátrica (PedsQLTM 4.0) a PPcH y padres, y el Cuestionario de Depresión Infantil (CDI) solo a PPcH. Resultados: la media de edad de los pacientes fue de 10.66 años (desviación estándar [DE] = 2.61) y la de los padres 36.28 (DE = 6.4); el 82% padecía hemofilia A y el 70% tenía hemofilia severa. El 78% de los participantes se sintió en riesgo o alto riesgo respecto a su calidad de vida y en cuanto a los niveles de depresión se encontró sintomatología moderada en el 54% y sintomatología severa en el 10%. Conclusiones: los niveles de CVRS y depresión encontrados son preocupantes. Se evidencia la importancia de evaluar indicadores objetivos y subjetivos, y además se deben canalizar los casos graves detectados y se sugieren actividades para atender estos problemas.

Evaluating the psychosocial impact of hemophilia B: The Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities into Solutions (B-HERO-S) study.

The needs of individuals living with hemophilia B, especially those with mild or moderate hemophilia and affected females, are not well understood. The Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities into Solutions (B-HERO-S) initiative was developed in an effort to obtain greater insights into the unique issues and challenges faced by those with hemophilia B. This study explored the impact of hemophilia B on education, employment, engagement in physical activities and other psychosocial aspects of the lives of affected individuals and their families. The B-HERO-S findings reveal a number of unmet needs in the hemophilia B population, and these results may be leveraged to inform patient outreach and education initiatives.

Impact of mild to severe hemophilia on engagement in recreational activities by US men, women, and children with hemophilia B: The Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities into Solutions (B-HERO-S) study.

The psychosocial impact of hemophilia on activities was recently investigated in the Hemophilia Experiences, Results and Opportunities (HERO) study (675 people with hemophilia and 561 caregivers of children with hemophilia in 10 countries). The impact of hemophilia B may not be accurately reflected in the HERO results, as ~75% of respondents described issues affecting males with hemophilia A. To address the needs of this population, the Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities Into Solutions (B-HERO-S) was developed as a pilot study in the United States in collaboration with the hemophilia community. The analysis reported here assessed engagement in recreational activities and changes to treatment regimens around activities as reported by 299 adults with hemophilia B and 150 caregivers of children with hemophilia B. Nearly all adults with hemophilia B (98%) experienced a negative impact on their participation in recreational activities due to hemophilia-related issues, and most caregivers (90%) reported that hemophilia B had a negative impact on their child's engagement in recreational activities. One of the main reasons identified for discontinuing past activities was the risk of bruising or bleeding (adults/children with hemophilia B, 49%/41%). In particular, adults with hemophilia B reported a history of activity-related bleeding, and most adults decreased their participation in high-risk activities as they aged. Substantial percentages of adults and children with hemophilia B (including mild/moderate severity) altered their treatment regimens to accommodate planned activities. These findings may help inform guidelines for individualizing treatment regimens around participation in recreational activities based on hemophilia severity, baseline factor level, and activity risk and intensity.

Impact of mild to severe hemophilia on education and work by US men, women, and caregivers of children with hemophilia B: The Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities into Solutions (B-HERO-S) study.

The psychosocial impact of hemophilia on work was recently investigated in the Hemophilia Experiences, Results and Opportunities (HERO) study. The findings revealed that hemophilia had an impact for adults with moderate/severe hemophilia and caregivers of children with hemophilia. HERO did not specifically evaluate impact on education in adults/children with mild/moderate hemophilia or the impact on employment of spouses/partners of caregivers of affected children. The Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities into Solutions (B-HERO-S) study evaluated the impact of hemophilia on the lives of adult men/women with mild-severe hemophilia B and caregivers of boys/girls with hemophilia B and their spouses/partners. Many adults with hemophilia B (94%) reported that hemophilia had a negative effect on their ability to complete a formal education, often attributed to the inability to attend or concentrate in school as a result of hemophilia-related bleeding or pain. Most adults with hemophilia B (95%) and caregivers/partners (89%/84%) indicated that hemophilia had a negative impact on employment. Most adults with hemophilia were employed (81%), with construction/manufacturing (35%) as the most frequently reported industry; many worked in jobs requiring manual labor (39%). Of those unemployed, 62% never worked, and those who stopped working reported that they left the workforce due to financial issues (59%), including insurance coverage/co-pays, or hemophilia-related issues (55%). Nearly one-third of caregivers voluntarily left the workforce to care for children with hemophilia. These results suggest a need to focus more effort on career counseling for adults with hemophilia B and caregivers of affected children, especially around mild/moderate hemophilia, as this population may not be as well informed regarding potential impact in school and the workplace.

Management of US men, women, and children with hemophilia and methods and demographics of the Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities into Solutions (B-HERO-S) study.

The Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities Into Solutions (B-HERO-S) initiative was launched in an effort to address specific gaps in the understanding of the psychosocial impact of mild-moderate-severe hemophilia B. The original Hemophilia Experiences, Results and Opportunities (HERO) qualitative study evaluated the needs of people with hemophilia A or B in multiple countries; however, a majority of participants had the more common moderate-severe hemophilia A. The B-HERO-S study was designed in collaboration with the hemophilia community to evaluate the needs of adults with hemophilia B and caregivers of children with hemophilia B, including affected women and caregivers of girls with hemophilia. The report presented here describes participant demographics and comorbidities, as well as treatment regimens and access to treatment. Bleeding symptoms were reported by 27% of mothers of children with hemophilia B who participated. Women were more likely than men to self-report arthritis and depression/anxiety as comorbidities associated with hemophilia B. More adults and children with hemophilia B were on routine treatment than on on-demand treatment, and a high percentage of adults with moderate hemophilia B received routine treatment (86%). Many adults with hemophilia B (78%) and caregivers (69%) expressed concern about access to factor in the next 5 years, and of adults with hemophilia B, women more commonly experienced issues with access to factor in the past than did men (72% vs 44%). The findings of the B-HERO-S study reveal potential unmet needs of some patients with mild-moderate hemophilia B, and the results may be leveraged to inform patient outreach by hemophilia treatment centers and education initiatives.

Wishes and worries of haemophilia patients.

Haemophilia care in Germany has achieved a high level and enables the majority of patients to lead a largely normal life. The Bluter Betreuung Bayern e.V. (BBB) aims to improve health care and support for haemophilia patients. A questionnaire has been developed by BBB representatives to evaluate unmet medical needs from the patient perspective. It was sent to 290 haemophilia patients and/or their parents in Bavaria in November 2015. The response rate was 51.4 %: 66 children aged < 15 years (66.7 % severe), 30 patients 15-24 years (66.7 % severe), 26 patients 25-44 years (80.8 % severe), 24 patients > 44 years (95.8 % severe). Prophylactic therapy in patients with severe haemophilia aged < 25 and ≥ 25 years is given "always" in ≥ 80 % and > 60 %, respectively. Substitution therapy is mostly uncomplicated. Satisfaction with medical care is high. Chronic pain is a problem with increasing age. Patients aged 25-44 years worry least regarding future health, safety and availability of factor products, patients > 44 years most. Overall, 80-100 % of the patients from all age groups are interested in information on the current state of science. Offers of the BBB for psychosocial support in addition to the medical care seem to be helpful and needed in all age groups.

Health promotion for young patients with haemophilia.

The haemophilia treatment centre of the Clinic for Children and Youth Medicine in Jena extends medical care by health-promotion measures, namely: health counselling, adjuvant exercise therapy and school sports. In addition to the regular medical checks at the treatment centre patients are examined regarding physical fitness, joint situation, quality of life in general and disease-specific manner, as well as psycho-social and nutritional behaviour. Findings and medical results of the examinations are integrated into an individual advice on therapy, school sports, and health recommendations. This aimed at strengthening health-related resources and minimizing potential injuries. First long-term evaluation shows an increase of activity behaviour and physical fitness without increasing bleeding rate and maintained joint function. CONCLUSION: Combining functional prevention diagnostics and individual health counselling shows signs of improved patient's health knowledge, self-competence and physical fitness.

Achieving self-management of prophylactic treatment in adolescents: The case of haemophilia.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescents with a chronic disorder, such as haemophilia, need to attain responsibility for their disease. The aim was to gain insight into how adolescents achieve self-management of prophylactic treatment. METHODS: In three Dutch Haemophilia Treatment Centres, adolescents (10-25 years) received structured questions on treatment responsibility and self-management (pre-specified definitions) during routine nursing consultation. RESULTS: In total, 155 interviews were performed in 100 patients (median age 14.4 years). Self-infusion was initiated at a median age of 12.3 years (IQR 11.5-13.0) and self-management was achieved 9.6 years later, at a median age of 22.6 years. This process included three phases coinciding with known stages of adolescence. In early adolescence, patients acquired the technique of self-infusion (12.3 years) leading to independent self-infusion in middle adolescence (17.2 years). In late adolescence, patients demonstrated an increase in more complex skills, such as bleeding management and communication with the haemophilia physician (19.9-22.6 years). CONCLUSION: Although, the first steps in self-management with regard to self-infusion are taken in early adolescence, complete self-management was achieved in late adolescence after almost 10 years. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Insight in this transitional process helps to provide individualized support and emphasizes the need for continued education with regard to self-management skills.

Shared topics on the experience of people with haemophilia living in the UK and the USA and the influence of individual and contextual variables: Results from the HERO qualitative study.

The study illuminates the subjective experience of haemophilia in people who took part in the Haemophilia Experience, Results and Opportunities (HERO) initiative, a quali-quantitative research program aimed at exploring psychosocial issues concerning this illness around the world. Applying a bottom-up analytic process with the help of software for textual data, we investigated 19 interviews in order to describe the core themes and the latent factors of speech, to explore the role of different variables in shaping the participants' illness experiences. The five themes detected are feeling different from others, body pain, acquisition of knowledge and resources, family history, and integration of care practices in everyday life. We illustrate how nationality, age, family situation, the use of prophylaxis or on-demand treatment, and the presence of human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis C virus affect the experience of our participants in different ways. Findings are used to bring insights on research, clinical practice, and psychosocial support.