AIM

The use of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) following protocols for haemophilic arthropathy and the Haemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with Ultrasound (HEAD-US) score can help standardize monitoring in haemophilia. This study evaluated the joint status (elbows, knees and ankles) of patients with haemophilia B (HB) in Spain using MSK-US and the HEAD-US score.

METHODS

Haemophilia B patients ≥14 years old were included in this observational, multicentre, cross-sectional study, regardless of their clinical condition, HB severity and treatment received. Two blinded observers were involved in image acquisition and scoring in each centre.

RESULTS

Eighty-two patients from 12 centres were enrolled: 27% mild HB, 23% moderate, 50% severe HB. Mean age was 38.9 ± 16.4 years, 60% were treated on demand (OD) and 40% were on prophylaxis. HEAD-US was zero in all joints in 28.6% OD patients and 36.4% on prophylaxis. Mean scores significantly worsened with HB severity, except for the left knee. Patients on primary and secondary prophylaxis had significantly better joint health vs OD patients in all joints, except the right ankle. Among OD patients, those with severe disease presented significantly worse scores in all HEAD-US items related to permanent damage.

CONCLUSION

Joint status of HB patients in Spain is influenced by severity and treatment modality, related to the development of arthropathy, which appears prevalent in OD patients with severe HB. Routine assessment with an imaging tool such as ultrasound and HEAD-US system may help to improve joint health by personalizing and adjusting treatment in this population.