Bleeding patterns in patients before and after diagnosis of von Willebrand disease: Analysis of a US medical claims database.

INTRODUCTION: Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. The bleeding phenotype is variable, and some individuals have persistent symptoms post-diagnosis. AIM: To characterize bleeding patterns in patients with VWD before and after diagnosis. METHODS: De-identified claims data for commercially insured patients in the IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus US database (Jan-2006 to Jun-2015) were extracted. Eligible patients had ≥2 claims for VWD (ICD-9 code 286.4), and continuous health-plan enrolment for ≥2 years before and after diagnosis. Bleeding event, treatment and treating-physician type were analysed for 18 months before and 7-24 months after diagnosis, according to pre-diagnosis bleeding phenotype (claims from one vs multiple bleed sites) and post-diagnosis bleeding status (resolved [no post-diagnosis bleed claims] vs continued [≥1 claim]). RESULTS: Data for 3756 eligible patients (72.6% female; 71.0% aged ≥18 years at diagnosis) were analysed. Overall, 642 (17.1%) and 805 (21.4%) patients had single- and multiple-site bleed claims pre-diagnosis, respectively, and 1263 (33.6%) patients (38.5% of women, 20.8% of men) continued to bleed post-diagnosis. Multiple-site bleeding was associated with pre-diagnosis heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), oral contraceptive (OC) use and nasal cauterization. Continued bleeding post-diagnosis was associated with pre-diagnosis gastrointestinal bleeding, HMB and epistaxis; pre-diagnosis use of OCs, aminocaproic acid and nasal cauterization; and younger age at diagnosis. Few patients consulted a haematologist for bleed management. CONCLUSION: Many patients with VWD have persistent bleeding from multiple sites and continue to bleed post-diagnosis. Our findings suggest a need to optimize management to reduce the symptomatic burden of VWD following diagnosis.

Observational study of recombinant factor VIII-Fc, rFVIIIFc, in hemophilia A.

INTRODUCTION: rFVIIIFc (Eloctate) is an extended-half-life recombinant factor VIII-Fc fusion protein that may promote factor VIII (FVIII) tolerance through Fc immunoregulatory properties. Yet, little is known regarding its immunogenicity in patients with hemophilia A (HA) or in HA with inhibitors (HA-I), including tolerized, immune tolerance induction (ITI)-refractory, or ITI-naïve. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 60 patients, including 2 previously-untreated patients (PUPs) and 58 previously-treated patients (PTPs), cared for between 01/01/06 and 06/01/17, on whom anti-FVIII antibody data were available before and after initiating rFVIIIFc. Continuous data were analyzed by student's t-test, and discrete data by chi square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: After initiating rFVIIIFc, one of two HA PUPs developed a low-responding (LR) inhibitor after 10 exposures, which resolved (anti-VIII<0.6 B.U.) within 8 additional exposures, while none of 41 HA PTPS developed an inhibitor. Among 19 HA-I PTPs with detectable inhibitors prior to rFVIIIFc, 5 developed an anamnestic response to rFVIIIFc, including 1 of 8 (12.5%) low-responding (LR), and 4 of 9 (44.9%) high-responding (HR), of whom 3 were ITI-naïve and 1 ITI-refractory. Inhibitors resolved in 4 HR within 2 months of continuing rFVIIIFc (median) but persisted in 1 LR at low titer. The remaining 11 HA-I PTPs, including 4 HR and seven LR, had no detectable inhibitor at the time of or after initiating rFVIIIFc. DISCUSSION: rFVIIIFc was immunogenic in HA PUPs and in HA-I PTPs persistently ITI-naïve or ITI-refractory, with inhibitor resolution in the majority. rFVIIIFc immunogenicity appears to be similar to other FVIII products.

The impact of extended half-life factor concentrates on prophylaxis for severe hemophilia in the United States.

With licensure of extended half-life (EHL) factor products and the changing landscape of available hemophilia products, patients and providers have options for less treatment-intense prophylaxis. The impact of these products in clinical practice to date remains understudied. We aimed to quantify the use of EHL products in prophylaxis in the US using the ATHN-dataset, a database of 145 ATHN-affiliated hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs). Further, we aimed to quantify the impact of EHL on key hemophilia indicators including annualized bleed rates (ABRs), hemophilia joint health scores (HJHS) and quality of life (QOL) metrics. The use of EHL vs standard half-life (SHL) products in severe hemophilia was compared between June 2018 and March 2019 using the ATHN-dataset. A cohort of patients was also recruited from seven participating HTCs in order to compare ABR, HJHS and QOL between product classes. By March 2019 the number of individuals with severe Hemophilia A (SHA) receiving EHLs remained relatively stable (28.4%), whereas the number of prescribed non-factor products increased to 7.1%, with a diminishing majority of patients (64.0%) continuing to receive SHLs. The majority of patients with severe hemophilia B (SHB) received treatment with EHLs including 57.5% by March 2019. There was a trend toward lower ABR with use of EHLs in SHA and SHB, although this did not result in improved HJHS nor QOL. EHL use in the United States in severe hemophilia continues to increase, although at a slower rate in SHA with the availability of non-factor therapy. The impact of the EHL therapies in clinical practice should continue to be examined prospectively.

Regional variation and cost implications of prescribed extended half-life factor concentrates among U.S. Haemophilia Treatment Centres for patients with moderate and severe haemophilia.

BACKGROUND: Extended half-life (EHL) factor VIII (FVIII) and IX (FIX) products are intended to decrease the burden of prophylaxis for patients with haemophilia A or B. Whether these newer concentrates have led to meaningful clinical practice change remains vague. AIM: To characterize the longitudinal use of standard (SHL) and EHL factor concentrates at haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs), using the ATHNdataset, a US database of 138 ATHN-affiliated HTCs. METHODS: Factor concentrate use among moderate and severe haemophilia A and B patients without inhibitors was analysed at three time points over 18 months. RESULTS: Use of EHL concentrates rose from 10% of patients to 22% during this study. EHL FVIII prophylaxis is prescribed to the minority of patients, 28%; EHL FIX now predominates for prophylaxis, 52%. Rates of prescribed EHL products varied significantly by age group and HTC region. Median prescribed prophylaxis for SHL compared to EHL products was FVIII 6240 and 5200 and FIX 6968 and FIX 3900 IU/kg/y, respectively. On-demand EHL use has grown but has minimal contribution to overall usage (2%). CONCLUSION: Haemophilia treatment centre region and patient age impact the rate of adoption of EHL products; however, EHL prescribing continues to rise nationally, particularly for EHL FIX. Careful attention to annual cost of prophylaxis is imperative as the decrease in median EHL prophylaxis consumption is not offset by the higher unit cost of these products. It is unclear how further growth in use of EHLs will be impacted by emerging non-factor replacement and gene therapies.

Prophylactic rtPA in the Prevention of Line-associated Thrombosis and Infection in Short Bowel Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Central venous access devices (CVADs) are essential for total parenteral nutrition administration in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS). They are, however, fraught with complications including infection and venous thromboembolism (VTE), which increases associated morbidity and mortality in this population. There is evidence linking the development of CVAD-associated thrombosis and line-related infection. Thus, it has been postulated that prevention of catheter-related clot formation could minimize the risk of infection originating from the catheter. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA, alteplase), lyses clots by binding plasmin-bound fibrin in a clot and cleaving plasminogen to plasmin; moreover, it is widely used to clear occluded CVADs. METHODS: Prophylactic rtPA lock therapy in children with SBS was evaluated as a single site pilot study to minimize line-associated VTE, infection, need for line replacement, and hospitalization at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. rtPA lock therapy was administered by parents/caregivers on a weekly basis over a 6-month time period in place of heparin lock therapy. Comparisons were made between line-associated complications in the cohort in the 6 months before study versus during the study period. RESULTS: Six out of 8 subjects completed the study over a 1-year time period. As a group, subjects experienced a significant decrease in the number of line-associated bloodstream infections from a mean of 1.9 infections in the 6 months before the study to a mean of 0.5 infections (P = 0.025). There was no change in the need for line replacement amongst subjects while on study. The primary outcome of VTE was not found in the cohort, and it is unclear whether rtPA lock therapy contributed to the lack of thrombosis development. Given the success of rtPA in this pilot study in reducing bloodstream infections, further investigation or rtPA lock therapy in patients with SBS is warranted.

Feasibility of the Von Willebrand disease PREVENT trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite treatment, women with von Willebrand disease (VWD) have lower von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels and greater blood loss at delivery than controls. Current weight-based dosing does not account for the ~1.5-fold increase in blood volume in pregnancy. METHODS: To evaluate the feasibility of a trial to prevent postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), we reviewed pre-pregnancy and 8th month VWF levels in women with VWD with and without PPH following vaginal delivery, assessed VWF concentrate use at delivery by U.S. hemophilia treatment center physician survey, and reviewed thrombosis risk with VWF concentrate by literature review. We determined trial interest and acceptability by structured interviews of physicians and patients. Analysis was by Student's t-test for continuous data, and chi-square or Fisher's exact test for discrete data. RESULTS: PPH was associated with lower pre-pregnancy VWF:RCo, p<0.005; higher pre-pregnancy, 8th and 9th-month weight, each p<0.001; a family bleeding history, p=0.036; and VWF concentrate treatment, p=0.005. Surveyed physicians reported first-line therapy at delivery was VWF concentrate, at a mean dose 50IU/kg. A trial of a 1.5-fold volume-based dose increase was acceptable to physicians and patients, if it is safe and if costs and visits are minimized. A literature review determined thrombosis risk with VWF concentrate is low, 0.4%. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests pre-pregnancy VWF:RCo may predict PPH, but 50-80IU/kg VWF concentrate dosing may not prevent PPH. If pharmacokinetic modeling confirms volume-based dosing achieves VWF levels comparable to pregnant controls, it may be possible to determine if volume-modified VWF concentrate dosing will reduce PPH in VWD.

Venous thromboembolism in pediatric trauma patients: Ten-year experience and long-term follow-up in a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric trauma patients are at high risk for development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Our objective is to describe incidence, risk factors, and timing of development of VTE, anticoagulation complications, and long-term VTE outcomes in a critically injured pediatric population. PROCEDURE: We did a retrospective review of pediatric (0-17 years) trauma admissions to intensive care unit from 2005 to 2014. Our center employs VTE screening and prevention protocols for high-risk patients based on hypercoagulable history, age, injuries, and medical interventions. We collected demographics, VTE prevention measures, VTE incidence, therapeutic anticoagulant use, and outcomes including postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) and clot resolution. Analysis included Wilcoxon rank-sum, Fisher exact, and logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: Seven hundred fifty-three subjects were analyzed. No patients on chemical prophylaxis (21/753) developed VTE. Overall incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was 8.9%; pulmonary embolism (PE) was 0%. Time to diagnosis was median (interquartile range [IQR]) 10.5 (6.5-14.5) days, with 63% of clots being symptomatic. Risk factors for VTE development included severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), acute traumatic coagulopathy (defined by elevated admission international normalized ratio), age less than or equal to 3 or age 13 years or more, injury severity, and child abuse mechanism. At a median (IQR) follow-up of 13 (6-19) months, 52.1% had persistent clot and 15.8% had PTS. Therapeutic anticoagulation was not associated with clot resolution or prevention of PTS. CONCLUSION: TBI therapy is closely linked to the development of DVT. Coagulopathy on admission is associated with hypercoagulability in the postinjury period, suggesting a patient phenotype with systemic coagulation dysregulation. Treatment was not associated with improved VTE outcomes, suggesting that pediatric protocols should emphasize VTE prevention and prophylaxis strategies.

Validation Study of the Composite Score to Identify Von Willebrand Disease in Children.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) presents a diagnostic challenge in children. In fact, 25% or more of children with VWD may be diagnosed only after they experience postoperative bleeding. We previously described a 4-variable composite score that has 92.5% sensitivity and 95% specificity for diagnosing VWD in children with known VWD when 2 of 4 criteria are positive: (1) Tosetto bleeding score ≥ 1; (2) family history of VWD; (3) personal history of iron deficiency anemia; and/or (4) positive James early bleeding score. The purpose of this study was to prospectively validate a composite score of ≥ 2 for identifying children with VWD. PROCEDURE: Children without a previously diagnosed bleeding disorder presenting for hematology evaluation were enrolled. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive value of the composite score was determined. RESULTS: A total of 193 subjects were enrolled from 12 participating centers were included in the analysis. Forty-seven children had type 1 VWD, including 11 with von Willebrand Ristocetin Cofactor (VWF):RCo < 30 IU/dL, 14 subjects with a VWF:RCo 30 to 39 IU/dL, and 22 with a VWF:RCo 40 to 49 IU/dL. Including all 4 variables, a composite score of ≥ 2 had a sensitivity of 63.6% to 76.0%, specificity of 33.5% to 35.1%, negative predictive value of 76.9% to 93.8%, and positive predictive value of 5.5% to 25%. CONCLUSIONS: The negative predictive value of the composite score was robust, especially at lower VWF:RCo suggesting that VWD testing could be eliminated in nearly a third of children referred for VWD testing.

Design of the INHIBIT trial: preventing inhibitors by avoiding 'danger', prolonging half-life and promoting tolerance.

Inhibitor formation is among the most serious complications of hemophilia treatment. With the US FDA licensure of the novel long-lasting recombinant factor VIII (FVIII) Fc fusion protein, Eloctate, which prolongs FVIII half-life, we propose an innovative approach to prevent inhibitor formation. In this paper, we describe a multicenter, Phase II, single-arm, 48-week trial, the INHIBIT trial, to determine if Eloctate, begun before a bleed and continued as once weekly prophylaxis, will reduce inhibitor formation in children with hemophilia A. We hypothesize that avoiding 'danger,' that is, immune activation by a bleed at first factor exposure and prolonging FVIII half-life will prevent inhibitors and promote FVIII-specific T-cell tolerance. If successful, this approach will suggest a new paradigm in clinical practice.

Three cost-utility analyses of screening for intracranial hemorrhage in neonates with hemophilia.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in the newborn period is a potential cause of serious morbidity and mortality in individuals with hemophilia. The incidence of ICH is estimated to be 2% to 4%; however, depending on the mode of delivery, it may be considerably higher. Considering the varying sensitivities and costs of various imaging modalities, there remains controversy surrounding universal cranial imaging. Cost-utility analysis is the ideal tool to display the consequences of a decision made. METHODS: We constructed a decision tree to evaluate the direct and indirect costs, possible outcomes, and probabilities of ICH in neonates with hemophilia. We created 3 decision analysis models to evaluate the cost-utility of different screening modalities for ICH: ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Within each model, 3 different strategies were compared: screen all neonates; screen only neonates born by instrumented delivery; and not screen any neonates. A societal perspective was used for all models. The base case models were later reanalyzed in sensitivity analysis to account for uncertainties. RESULTS: Total costs for screening all neonates, screening only neonates born by instrumented delivery, and not screening any neonates were $9501, $9297, and $9347, respectively, for US, and $9761, $9351, and $9353, respectively, for CT. Screening instrumented deliveries using MRI had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $12,440. CONCLUSIONS: Screening newborns born by an instrumented delivery appears to be the most cost-effective strategy irrespective of the imaging modality. Subsequent studies will require a longer time frame to factor in possible late effects of radiation, anesthesia, and the high cost of factor replacement and hospital admission.