title: A synopsis of current haemophilia care in Hong Kong.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a synopsis of current haemophilia care in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  All haematology units of the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with haemophilia A and haemophilia B.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To date, there were 222 mild-to-severe haemophilia patients (192 type A, 30 type B) under regular public care in Hong Kong (43% were considered severe, 33% moderate, and 24% mild), which gave a crude prevalence of 6.8/100 000 male inhabitants. A total of 12.8 million units of Factor VIII and 3 million units of Factor IX were prescribed annually. This amounts to 1.83 units of FVIII per capita of the population, which is comparable to that of other developed countries. Leading causes of mortality were human immunodeficiency virus-related complications (10 cases) and cerebral bleeding (2 cases). The life expectancy of patients with severe haemophilia in Hong Kong is improving; currently the oldest patient is 60 years old. Such improved survival may be due to enhanced factor availability, prompt treatment of bleeding episodes at home, safer factor products, and better antiviral treatment. Primary prophylaxis is the accepted standard of care for severe and moderate cases, and "Factor First" has become hospital policy. However, 12 patients continue to present treatment challenges, due to the documented presence of factor inhibitors. In all, 28, 100, and 14 cases respectively were positive for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus; the youngest patients with the corresponding infections being 28, 13, and 22 years old. Comprehensive care with dedicated physiotherapy, surgical support, and radionucleotide synovectomy may reduce morbidity further.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A multidisciplinary approach can further improve the future care for haemophilia patients in Hong Kong.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. auwing@hotmail.com
authors.forename: W Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Au
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kho
authors.forename: Alvin S C
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Desmond
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Eric Y T
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Godfrey C F
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Winnie W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Rever C H
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Vivien
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Kris H F
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yau
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Yuen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003029:Coagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005164:Factor IX / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002836:Hemophilia B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003029:Coagulants; D005169:Factor VIII; D005164:Factor IX