Prevalence and clinico-hematologic profile of von Willebrand disease in a group of Filipinos with bleeding tendency

ABSTRACT

Background: von Willebrand Diseases (vWD) is the most commonly inherited bleeding disorder. It is defined as a deficiency or abnormality of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) causing impaired hemostasis. Studies in a predominantly pediatric population reveal that the prevalence of vWD is 0.8-1.3 percent. Objective: To determine the prevalence of von Willebrand Diseases and to establish its clinico-hematologic profile. Methods: Ninety-nine patients with bleeding manifestations referred to the National Hemophilia Center from all over the Philippines were studied. Patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of at least 2 symptoms consistent with vWD, underwent initial screening tests a complete blood count with actual platelet, blood typing, bleeding time, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. Laboratory tests to diagnose vWD were done. Results: Thirty four patients (34.34 percent) with bleeding manifestations had vWD. Patients with vWD and those without were comparable as to age, sex distribution, family history of bleeding, blood type and bleeding manifestations. Among the patients with vWD, 11 (32.35 percent) had Type I vWD and 23 (67.65 percent) had Type 2 vWD. The mean FVIII, vWF Ag and vWF RCo were decreased. Conclusion: The study suggests that there is a high proportion of vWD among patients with bleeding tendency in the Philippines.