SELF-THERAPY FOR HEMOPHILIA IN NORWAY - EFFECT ON TRANSFUSION FREQUENCY AND DAYS LOST FROM WORK

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 205  (5) , 395-399
Abstract
During the years 1975-77, 35 patients with hemophilia A or B (factor level of 1% or less) were instructed to administer concentrates of the deficient factor (mean dose 14 U[unit]kg) i.v. in case of episodic, uncomplicated bleedings without prior consultation with a physician. At Dec. 1977, 33 of these patients (29 with hemophilia A, 4 with B) were taking part in the program. They represented 35% of all Norwegian patients above 7 yr of age with severe hemophilia in whom high-titered antibodies were demonstrated. For 13 patients, records from 2 yr on self-therapy were compared with records from the last year before self-therapy. During the 1st yr on self-therapy the number of days lost from work dropped by 77%, while the number of transfusions increased by 22%. During the 2nd year, days lost from work were still low (68% decrease compared to the year preceding self-therapy) and the transfusion frequency remained unchanged. Significant side-effects of antihemophilic concentrates were not observed and vein damage was not a problem. Joint motion studies did not indicate progress of hemophilic arthropathy during self-therapy. Properly supervised self-therapy was practical and safe and improved considerably the quality of life.