What is the role of prophylaxis in the improvement of health-related quality of life of patients with hemophilia?

Abstract

A 32-year-old male with severe hemophilia presents for his annual evaluation. He has a history of multiple joint bleeds that he has always treated on-demand, that is, after they occur. You have recommended prophylaxis, that is, preventively, before they occur, to decrease his episodes of bleeding; however, he had been reluctant to comply in the past. He is having difficulty keeping up at work because of interruptions, pain, and lost time at work. He is willing to consider a trial of prophylaxis. You discuss the impact of hemophilia on his health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and consider measuring his HRQOL over time using a generic measure of HRQOL to determine whether prophylaxis will reduce interruptions, pain, and lost time from work and improve his HRQOL.