HMC highlights community awareness of hemophilia

Doha: Learning about hemophilia will help healthcare providers and those affected by the genetic blood disorder better manage the condition and prevent potential complications, according to an expert at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).

Hemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly. Common symptoms of the disease can include frequent nosebleeds, unexplained and uncontrolled bleeding and bruising, and painful or swollen joints. While more common in males, the disorder affects both males and females from all racial and ethnic backgrounds.The disease is categorized as hemophilia A and B and can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Hemophilia A, known as classical hemophilia, is the most common form and accounts for around 80% of cases. It is the result of a deficiency in clotting factor 8. Hemophilia B is a deficiency in clotting factor 9 and is a gender-linked recessive disorder that is more common in males than females.

According to D. Ahmed Abdulaziz Abdelbari, Clinical Pharmacist at Hamad General Hospital, and a hemophilia expert, preventive measures and early treatment have significantly improved the long-term outlook for patients with hemophilia. He says understanding the diseases symptoms will lead to better management of the condition, which can be life-threatening. “When a person without hemophilia bleeds, normal levels of clotting factor, a protein in the blood, causes the blood to clot and stops the bleeding. However, people with hemophilia have lower levels of clotting factor in the blood and bleeding continues for much longer periods. Hemophilia is a lifelong disorder and it is important for those affected by the condition to have knowledge of its symptoms in order to properly manage these effectively,” stressed Dr Abdelbari.

Individuals with hemophilia can bleed excessively externally, through cuts for example, and internally. Internal bleeding in the tissues and joints can lead to serious injury. It can also cause joint problems later in life if appropriate medical care is not taken.