Impact of haemophilia on patients with mild-to-moderate disease: Results from the P-FiQ and B-HERO-S studies

Introduction: Epidemiologic studies suggest that joint bleeding occurs in patients with mild-to-moderate haemophilia, including women and girls. However, most previous studies on the impacts of haemophilia focus on men with severe disease. Aim: To identify unmet needs in men and women with mild-to-moderate haemophilia. Methods: The Pain, Functional Impairment, and Quality of Life (P-FiQ) study assessed the impact of pain on functional impairment and health-related quality of life in men with haemophilia A or B of any severity. The Bridging Hemophilia B Experiences, Results and Opportunities Into Solutions (B-HERO-S) study evaluated the psychosocial needs of adults and children with haemophilia B of any severity, including women and girls. Both studies employed patient-reported outcome measures. Results: In the P-FiQ study, 16% (62/381) of participants had mild and 13% (50/381) had moderate haemophilia. In the B-HERO-S study, 29% (86/299) of adult participants were female, 25% (74/299) had mild haemophilia, and 63% (189/299) had moderate haemophilia. In addition, 63% (46/74) of patients with mild and 86% (162/189) of patients with moderate haemophilia routinely infused factor products to prevent bleeding. Patients reported difficulty gaining access to factor products (54%; 142/263) and a haemophilia treatment centre (17%; 44/263). During the P-FiQ study, 78% (48/62) of patients with mild and 87% (44/50) with moderate haemophilia described problems with pain on the Brief Pain Inventory. Patients also reported issues with anxiety, depression and relationships. Conclusions: Mild-to-moderate haemophilia has physical and psychosocial impacts on patients. We offer some solutions to help alleviate these impacts and resolve unmet needs.