O’Callaghan S, Parikh S, Bishop L, Caris S. Physical functioning and pain in older men with haemophilia. (2024), POSTER ABSTRACT (PP-161). (2024), Issue Information. Haemophilia, 30: 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1111/hae.15016
Introduction
It is well recognised that physical functioning can be impaired and pain common as men with haemophilia (MWH) age, due to complications from their bleeding disorder. However, it can be difficult to quantify the difference between their experience and that of men without a bleeding disorder (MNBD)of equivalent age in the general population. The PROBE (Patient Reported Outcomes Burdens Experiences) questionnaire is an internationally validated tool defining the impact of haemophilia on quality of life from the patient perspective. In 2020 the PROBE Australia Study compared the experience of MWH and MNBD, all of whom were aged 45 years and over.
Methods
A total of 106 questionnaire respondents aged 45 years and over (MWH: n = 57; MNBD: n = 49) were recruited via Australian community networks. PROBE questions included use of a mobility aid or assistive device, difficulties with activities of daily liv-ing, acute and chronic pain and use of medications for pain in the last 12 months.
Results
Differences between MWH and MNBD were pronounced. Overall MWH reported that 44% (25/57) used a mobility aid, 54% (31/57) had difficulties with activities of daily living, 58% (33/57) experienced acute pain, 74% (42/57) chronic pain and 79% (45/57) used medication for pain in the last 12 months. This was markedly higher than MNBD: none reported problems with mobility, 6% (3/49) reported problems with activities of daily living, 27% (13/49) had acute pain, 41% (20/49) chronic pain, and 61% (30/49) used medication for pain. A higher proportion of men with moderate or severe haemophilia (n = 28) reported physical function problems or pain: 61% (17/28) needed mobility aids, 79% (22/28) had difficulties with activities of daily living, 79% (22/28) had acute pain, 86% (24/28) chronic pain, and 89% (25/28) had used medi-cation for pain. Men with mild haemophilia (n = 29) also reported problems and pain more often than MNBD, including 28% (8/29) reporting mobility problems and 31% (9/29) with activities of daily living.
Conclusions
Validated haemophilia-specific tools such as PROBE are an important way to quantify the substantial differences in quality of life between older men with haemophilia and men without a bleeding disorder of equivalent age.
View Poster: PP_161_WFH2024
