Prevalence and Course of Covid-19 in Patients with Congenital Bleeding Disorders in Russia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Published data on the course of COVID-19 in patients with congenital bleeding disorders (CBDs) is limited. There are questions about howCOVID-19 affects the course of CBDs and, conversely, how CBDs affect the course of coronavirus infection? Some authors suggest that patients with CBDs to be less severely affected by COVID-19. The aim of the study analysis of the prevalence and course of COVID-19 in patients with CBDs in Russia. Method(s) A web-based questionnaire was developed to collect data. The survey was conducted in the period from 25.06.2022 to 31.07.2022. A cluster of 187 patients from different regions and cities of Russia were interviewed. Result(s) The average age of patients was 37 years. The survey group consisted of 144 patients with hemophilia A, 16 with hemophilia B, 24 with vonWillebrand's disease and 1 patient with factor VII deficiency. COVID-19 affected 115 (61.5%) of 187 surveyed patients and 22 (19%) patients suffered from coronavirus infection twice. Hospitalisation was required for 14 (12.3%) patients. At the beginning of the disease, 82 (71%) patients were on prophylactic treatment with the factor concentrates;11 (10%) received therapy with emicizumab, 20 (17%) received therapy with the factor concentrates on demand and 2 (1.7%) received bypass agents. During COVID-19 different types of bleeding were observed in 9 (7.8%) patients hemarthrosis, ecchymosis, hematomas, epistaxis, menorrhagia, haemorrhoid bleeding. Due to COVID-19 the blood coagulation parameters were monitored for 15 (13%) of 115 patients who had been ill. The haemostatic therapy regimen was changed in 19 (16.5%) patients. Anticoagulant therapy was received by 8 (7%) patients. There were no thrombotic cases. A change in the course of the underlying disease after COVID-19 was noted by 21 (18%) patients, of which 11 noted an increase in joint pain and 9 reported the appearance of pain in previously intact joints. Discussion/Conclusion: The absence of thrombotic complications in patients with CBDs and COVID-19 suggests that hypocoagulability state may be protective against COVID-19 hypercoagulability-related adverse effects. However, the aggravating condition is an increase in joint pain and the involvement of new joints possible due to both hemostatic disorders and autoimmune reaction.