Understanding Prophylaxis: the ‘Gold Standard Treatment’ in Haemophilia Care

• Haemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder where blood fails to clot due to lack of clotting factors.

• Small injuries can cause excessive bleeding and spontaneous internal bleeding, leading to chronic disability.

• India has 1 to 1.5 lakh haemophilia cases, but only 29,000 patients have been identified due to lack of awareness, limited diagnostic facilities, and socio-economic barriers.

• Untreated bleeds can reduce life expectancy by around 16 days, especially in chronic bleeds.

• Prophylaxis, regular replacement therapy of deficient clotting factors, is the ‘Gold Standard Treatment’.

• Prophylaxis prevents joint damage, enhances quality of life, and reduces healthcare burden.

• Approximately 90% of persons with haemophilia are on prophylaxis in developed nations.