Osteoporosis Remains Constant in Patients with Hemophilia-Long-Term Course in Consideration of Comorbidities

• Published in: Hamostaseologie Vol. 43; no. 3; p. 208
• Main Authors: Strauss, Anna C, Muellejans, Pius, Koob, Sebastian, Goldmann, Georg, Pennekamp, Peter H, Wallny, Thomas A, Oldenburg, Johannes, Strauss, Andreas C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-06-2023
• Subjects: Adult; Bone Density; Hemophilia A - complications; Hemophilia A - epidemiology; Humans; Osteoporosis - complications; Osteoporosis - diagnosis; Osteoporosis - epidemiology; Retrospective Studies; Vitamin D
• ISSN: 2567-5761
• DOI: 10.1055/a-1972-8983

Patients with hemophilia (PWHs) suffer from an increased risk of osteoporosis. Multiple hemophilia and hemophilic arthropathy associated factors correlate with a low bone mineral density (BMD) in PWHs. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term development of BMD in PWH as well as to analyze potentially influencing factors.
 A total of 33 adult PWHs were evaluated in a retrospective study. General medical history, specific-hemophilia-associated comorbidities, joint status using the Gilbert score, calcium level, and vitamin D level as well as at least two results of bone density measurements with a minimum range of 10 years per patient were taken into account.
 The BMD did not change significantly from one point of measurement to the other. A total of 7 (21.2%) cases of osteoporosis and 16 (48.5%) cases of osteopenia were identified. The two following significant correlations could be revealed: the higher the patients' body mass index, the higher their BMD (
 = 0.41;
 = 0.022). Moreover, a high Gilbert score came along with a low BMD (
 = -0.546;
 = 0.003).
 Even if PWHs frequently suffer from a reduced BMD, our data suggest that their BMD remains constant on a low level in the course of time. A risk factor of osteoporosis often found in PWHs is a vitamin D deficiency and joint destruction. Therefore, a standardized screening of PWHs on BMD reduction by collecting vitamin D blood level and assessing joint status seems appropriate.