Bone health in persons with haemophilia: A review

Abstract

Bone density is a measure of equilibrium between bone formation and bone resorption; any imbalance in these two processes might lead to osteopenia and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis in general has been considered to be an important cause of morbidity in both men and women and more so in haemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Specific triggering factors in persons with haemophilia (PWH) are abnormal liver function because of viral infection, bleeding and inflammation, lack of physical and athletic activities, low body weight and others. Although the pathogenesis of osteoporosis is not clear, it has been considered as a severe comorbidity in PWH in both developing and developed countries. This is more evident in developing countries where there is no free access to factor concentrates, and primary prophylaxis is beyond the reach of vast majority of the patients. Only few references are available in the literature on the prevalence and management of osteoporosis in haemophilia population. This review summarises the prevalence, plausible mechanisms and management options of this important morbidity in PWH. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.