title: Acquired haemophilia: an easy diagnosis to miss in a patient taking warfarin.
abstract: Acquired Haemophilia (AH) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder, which despite being rare, can be fatal. It occurs in patients with previously normal haemostasis who spontaneously develop IgG autoantibodies against factor VIII. Unlike congenital haemophilia, it manifests as spontaneous bleeding into skin and soft tissues. The presentation can be masked in patients who are receiving warfarin where the bleeding is often attributed to warfarin therapy, as in the case described in this report. Consideration of AH is important in patients taking anticoagulants, when coagulopathy and bleeding fails to correct with usual measures.
authors.affiliation: Medical Student, Manchester Medical School.
authors.forename: Avraneel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Talapatra
authors.affiliation: Consultant Haematologists, Manchester Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.affiliation: Consultant Haematologists, Manchester Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: Charles R M
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford road, Manchester, United Kingdom. M13 9WL.
authors.forename: Jecko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thachil