title: Pathogenesis of haemophilic synovitis: clinical aspects.
abstract: Arthropathy remains a major cause of morbidity in patients with haemophilia. Frequent bleeding into the joints leads to joint damage with resultant contractures, joint deformities and arthritis. This in turn leads to muscle atrophy, limited physical activity, osteoporosis and disability. Even though several studies of prophylactic factor replacement for persons with severe haemophilia demonstrate improved joint function, this therapy is still not readily available to most people with haemophilia around the world and a universal treatment protocol has not been used. In this article, we discuss key issues in the treatment of severe haemophilia: the optimal timing of initiation and termination of therapy, dosing options and goals of therapy. The options for countries where prophylaxis is not readily available are also discussed. Most studies are small and not randomized making consensus treatment recommendations difficult to formulate. Randomized, clinical trials are needed to provide the answers regarding the optimal treatment of patients with severe haemophilia.
authors.affiliation: Gulf States Haemophilia and Thrombophilia Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. keith.hoots@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Hoots
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boggio
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Valentino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002358:Cartilage, Articular; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019468:Disease Management; D005164:Factor IX / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006395:Hemarthrosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013585:Synovitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*