Congenital factor X deficiency: a retrospective analysis of 11 cases / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics, laboratory examination, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of hereditary factor Ⅹ (FⅩ) deficiency. Methods: Clinical data of 11 patients with congenital FⅩ deficiency were retrospectively analyzed from July 2009 to February 2021. Results: There were 3 males and 8 females. Median age was 39 (5-55) years. The media duration of follow-up was 81.67 (1.87-142.73) months. Of the 11 patients, 10 had bleeding symptoms, 7 had ecchymosis or hemorrhage after skin bump, 7 had nosebleed, 6 had gingival hemorrhage, and 1 had muscle hematoma. Among the female patients, 6 had menorrhagia and 1 experienced bleeding after vaginal delivery. Family history of FⅩ deficiency was found in one case. Eight patients had a history of surgery, and four had postoperative bleeding. Laboratory findings were characterized by significantly prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and decreased FⅩ activity (FⅩ∶C) . Four cases underwent gene mutation analysis and five new mutations were found. Four cases were treated with prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) and seven cases with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) . One female patient had significantly reduced menstrual volume after PCC prophylactic therapy. One patient received FFP for prophylactic infusion with no bleeding during and after the operation. Conclusion: Most patients with congenital FⅩ deficiency had bleeding symptoms and there was no significant correlation between severity of bleeding symptoms and FⅩ∶C. Prophylaxis should be applied in patients with severe bleeding tendencies. Gene mutation test is significant for screening, diagnosis, and prognosis prediction of congenital FX deficiency.

O acesso global e nacional ao tratamento da hemofilia: reflexões da bioética crítica sobre exclusão em saúde / Global and national access to the treatment of hemophilia: reflections from critical bioethics on health exclusion / El acceso global y nacional al tratamiento de la hemofilia: reflexiones de la bioética crítica sobre exclusión en salud

A hemofilia é uma doença rara, hereditária e caracterizada pela falta de fatores de coagulação, o que provoca sangramentos espontâneos e artropatias incapacitantes. O componente mais dispendioso em seu tratamento é a reposição do fator de coagulação. O presente ensaio examina, a partir da perspectiva da Bioética Crítica, modelo teórico baseado na articulação da Teoria Crítica com os Estudos da Colonialidade, o panorama do acesso global ao tratamento e o programa brasileiro. Demonstrou-se um quadro marcado por extremas disparidades de acesso em nível tanto global quanto nacional, cujas causas estão diretamente relacionadas com a formação histórica de um sistema-mundo baseado na dominação dos meios materiais, ideias e instituições pelos países centrais. Para seu enfrentamento, concluiu-se pela necessidade de contínuas pressões sociais, estímulo a uma produção científica e regulação tecnológica verdadeiramente comprometida com o cumprimento do direito fundamental à saúde.(AU)

Hemophilia is a rare, hereditary disease characterized by a lack of clotting factors, which causes spontaneous bleeding and disabling arthropathy. The most expensive component in its treatment is clotting factor replacement therapy. This essay examines, based on the perspective of Critical Bioethics - a theoretical model based on the articulation between Critical Theory and Coloniality Studies -, the panorama related to the global access to that treatment and the Brazilian program. A scenario marked by extreme disparities of access was found, both in the global and in the national levels, whose causes are directly related to the historical formation of a world system based on the domination of material means, ideas and institutions by central countries. To face this situation, a continuous social pressure is needed, as well as incentive to scientific production and technological regulation truly committed to the enforcement of the fundamental right to health.(AU)

La hemofilia es una enfermedad rara, hereditaria, caracterizada por la falta de factores de coagulación, lo que provoca sangrados espontáneos y artropatías discapacitantes. El componente más caro de su tratamiento es la reposición del factor de coagulación. El presente ensayo examina, a partir de la perspectiva de la Bioética Crítica, un modelo teórico basado en la articulación de la Teoría Crítica con los Estudios de la Colonialidad, el panorama del acceso global al tratamiento y el programa brasileño. Demostró ser un cuadro marcado por disparidades extremas de acceso, tanto en nivel global como nacional, cuyas causas están directamente relacionadas con la formación histórica de un sistema de mundo basado en la dominación de los medios materiales, ideas e instituciones por los países centrales. La conclusión para enfrentarlo fue la necesidad de continuas presiones sociales y estímulo a una producción científica y regulación tecnológica verdaderamente comprometidas con el cumplimiento del derecho fundamental a la salud.(AU)

Manejo de hemorragia asociada a anticoagulantes orales directos: estado actual de las estrategias de reversión / Management of bleeding associated with direct oral anticoagulants: update on reversal strategies

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), including the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran and the direct factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban have at least comparable efficacy as vitamin K antagonists along with a better safety profile, reflected by a lower incidence of intracranial hemorrhage. Specific reversal agents have been developed in recent years. Namely, idarucizumab, a specific antidote for dabigatran, is currently approved in most countries. Andexanet, which reverses factor Xa inhibitors, has been recently approved by the FDA, and ciraparantag, a universal antidote targeted to reverse all DOACs, is still under investigation. In this review we provide an update on the pharmacology of DOACs, the risk of hemorrhagic complications associated with their use, the measurement of their anticoagulant effect and the reversal strategies in case of DOAC-associated bleeding.

Utilization Patterns of Coagulation Factor Consumption for Patients with Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a serious rare disease that requires continuous management and treatment for which the medicine is costly at the annual average of 100 million KRW for an individual. The aim of this study was to investigate trends in the utilization of coagulation factor (CF) used for hemophilia treatment using the National Health Insurance database from 2010 to 2013 in Korea and compare the utilization of CF with other countries. The consumption of CF per capita (IU) in Korea was not more than other countries with similar income to Korea. However, CF usage per patient IU was higher because the prevalence rate of hemophilia in Korea was lower than in other countries while the number of serious patients was much more. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the consumption of hemophilia medicine in Korea is higher than that in other countries. The consumption and cost of hemophilia medicine in Korea is likely to increase due to the increased utilization of expensive bypassing agents and the widespread use of prophylaxis for severe hemophilia. Even during the research period, it increased slightly and other countries show a similar trend. Thus, hemophilia patient management should accompany active monitoring on the health and cost outcomes of pharmaceutical treatment in the future. This study is expected to contribute to further insight into drug policies for other countries that face similar challenges with high price pharmaceuticals.

Violence against metropolitan bus drivers and fare collectors in Brazil / Violência a motoristas e cobradores de ônibus metropolitanos, Brasil

OBJECTIVE To analyze the correlation between sociodemographic factors and working conditions of bus workers in a metropolitan area and violence against them. METHODS This cross-sectional study used a nonprobabilistic sample estimated according to the number of workers employed in bus companies located in three cities in the Belo Horizonte metropolitan region in 2012 (N = 17,470). Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a digital questionnaire. The factors associated with violence were analyzed in two stages using Poisson regression, according to each level. The magnitude of the association was evaluated using prevalence ratios with robust variance and a statistical significance of 5%, and 95% confidence intervals were obtained. RESULTS The study sample comprised 782 drivers and 691 fare collectors; 45.0% participants reported at least one act of violence in the workplace in the last 12 months, with passengers being predominantly responsible. The age of the bus workers was inversely associated with violence. Chronic diseases, sickness absenteeism, and working conditions were also associated with violence. CONCLUSIONS The findings on the correlation between violence and working conditions are essential for implementing prevention strategies by transportation service managers. .

OBJETIVO Analisar associação entre fatores sociodemográficos e de condições de trabalho e violência contra profissionais de ônibus de região metropolitana. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal com amostra não probabilística, estimada segundo quotas do efetivo distribuído nas empresas de ônibus localizadas em três cidades da região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, em 2012 (n = 17.470). Foram realizadas entrevistas face a face com questionário digital. A análise dos fatores associados à violência foi realizada em duas etapas, pela regressão de Poisson, de acordo com cada nível. A magnitude da associação foi aferida pelas razões de prevalência com variância robusta e significância estatística de 5%. Foram obtidos intervalos de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS Participaram da pesquisa 782 motoristas e 691 cobradores. Quase metade (45,0%) dos participantes relatou pelo menos um episódio de violência no trabalho nos últimos 12 meses, predominantemente praticado pelos passageiros. A idade do trabalhador rodoviário foi inversamente associada à violência. Doenças crônicas, absenteísmo-doença e condições de trabalho foram associados à violência. CONCLUSÕES As informações trazidas sobre a associação da violência com as condições de trabalho são fundamentais para guiar estratégias de prevenção indicadas aos gestores da produção dos serviços de transporte. .

Readability of medicinal package leaflets: a systematic review / Legibilidade das bulas dos medicamentos: revisão sistemática

OBJECTIVE To review studies on the readability of package leaflets of medicinal products for human use. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature review between 2008 and 2013 using the keywords “Readability and Package Leaflet” and “Readability and Package Insert” in the academic search engine Biblioteca do Conhecimento Online, comprising different bibliographic resources/databases. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses criteria were applied to prepare the draft of the report. Quantitative and qualitative original studies were included. Opinion or review studies not written in English, Portuguese, Italian, French, or Spanish were excluded. RESULTS We identified 202 studies, of which 180 were excluded and 22 were enrolled [two enrolling healthcare professionals, 10 enrolling other type of participants (including patients), three focused on adverse reactions, and 7 descriptive studies]. The package leaflets presented various readability problems, such as complex and difficult to understand texts, small font size, or few illustrations. The main methods to assess the readability of the package leaflet were usability tests or legibility formulae. Limitations with these methods included reduced number of participants; lack of readability formulas specifically validated for specific languages (e.g., Portuguese); and absence of an assessment on patients literacy, health knowledge, cognitive skills, levels of satisfaction, and opinions. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the package leaflets presented various readability problems. In this review, some methodological limitations were identified, including the participation of a limited number of patients and healthcare professionals, the absence of prior assessments of participant literacy, humor or sense of satisfaction, or the predominance of studies not based on role-plays about the use of medicines. These limitations should be avoided in future ...

OBJECTIVO Analisar a literatura sobre legibilidade das bulas dos medicamentos para uso humano. MÉTODOS Estudo de revisão sistemática, utilizando as palavras-chave “Readability and Package Leaflet” e “Readability and Package Insert”e a ferramenta de busca académica b-on, que contém diferentes bases bibliográficas. O período analisado foi entre 2008 e 2013. Foram aplicados os critérios PRISMA para redigir o relatório da revisão. Foram incluídos artigos originais de pesquisa quantitativa ou qualitativa. Os critérios de exclusão foram: artigos de opinião ou de revisão, ou escritos numa língua diferente do inglês, português, italiano, francês ou espanhol. RESULTADOS Foram identificados 202 trabalhos, dos quais 180 foram excluídos e 22 selecionados para análise: dois com profissionais de saúde, 10 com pacientes, três sobre reações adversas e sete descritivos. As bulas apresentaram diversos problemas de legibilidade, entre os quais: textos insuficientemente claros e simples, utilização de tamanhos de letra pequenos e número reduzido de ilustrações. Os principais métodos utilizados para avaliar a legibilidade das bulas foram as fórmulas e os testes de legibilidade/usabilidade. Entre as limitações metodológicas, foram identificados aspetos como o recurso a amostras pequenas, a inexistência de fórmulas de legibilidade específicas para a língua em causa, e.g., português, e a realização de testes de compreensão em grupos de pacientes sem avaliação prévia da literacia, dos conhecimentos específicos na área da saúde, das capacidades cognitivas, ou do grau de satisfação dos participantes. CONCLUSÕES Em geral, as bulas apresentaram diversos problemas de legibilidade. Adicionalmente, nesta revisão foram identificadas algumas limitações metodológicas nos estudos revistos (e.g. a participação de um número reduzido de pacientes e profissionais de saúde, a ausência da avaliação prévia da literacia, do humor ou satisfação dos participantes ...

The First Case of Postpartum Acquired Hemophilia A in Korea

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare coagulopathy caused by autoantibodies to coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). Most patients with AHA have been previously healthy; however, a variety of morbidities have been associated with the condition including pregnancy. A 40-yr-old woman visited our institution with extensive hematoma on the right hip area. Her medical history revealed no personal or familial history of bleeding diathesis. Her coagulation tests showed markedly prolonged aPTT (117 sec), markedly decreased level of FVIII activity (0.4%) and high-titer FVIII inhibitor (77 BU). Collectively, she was diagnosed as having postpartum AHA and was treated with bypassing agents and corticosteroids. Her aPTT was normalized on the 174th postpartum day and FVIII inhibitor showed negative conversion on the 224th postpartum day. This is the first case of postpartum AHA with high-titer FVIII inhibitor in Korea. Timely diagnosis and management can reduce morbidity and mortality of this potentially life-threatening condition.

Treatment of patients with haemophilia and inhibitory antibodies.

The development of inhibitory antibodies is a complication which arise in approximately 10% of patients with haemophilia A. The underlying genetic mutation is the single most important predisposing cause, although other risk factors have been identified. Periodic screening for inhibitors is a vital aspect of haemophilia care. The consequences of inhibitor development are very significant in terms of morbidity and cost. Several agents are now available for control of bleeding, but these are often very expensive. The most useful agents include recombinant activated factor VII, prothrombin complex concentrates and porcine factor VIII. It is possible to suppress antibody production with immune tolerance, which is successful in approximately 85% of cases and relapse is rare.

Tratamiento del hematoma subdural crónico con tres técnicas quirúrgicas, coagulación y fibrinolisis / Treatment of chronic subdural hematomo with three different techniques coagulation and fibrinolysis

El hematoma subdural continua siendo un grave problema quirúrgico tanto por su frecuencia como por el gran número de pacientes que requieren tratamiento para esta condición. Diversas técnicas han sido empleadas a través de los años para mejorar esta condición se considera importante evaluar tres técnicas quirúrgicas en el manejo de esta entidad

Inhibitors of factor VIII: detection and treatment.

Alloantibodies occurring in hemophiliacs is a side effect or repeated treatment and represents a severe complication. The induction of immune tolerance using one of the lower dose regimens should be attempted as soon as it is feasible as regimens started soon after the inhibitor appears may have greater success in inducing tolerance. If the hemophiliac with inhibitor hemorrhages, PCC for aPCC should be the first line of therapy since these concentrates can be given in the home setting. If the hemorrhage is severe and the anti-porcine inhibitor titer is low, the patient should be infused in a clinic or hospital setting with porcine factor VIII using increasing doses to achieve a circulating factor VIII level. Entry into clinical trials, such as those using rFVIIa should be encouraged.