Variability in International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis-Scientific and Standardization Committee endorsed Bleeding Assessment Tool (ISTH-BAT) score with normal aging in healthy females: contributory factors and clinical significance

Background: Bleeding assessment tools are key screening tests used in the evaluation of patients with suspected inherited bleeding disorders. The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis-Scientific and Standardization Committee endorsed Bleeding Assessment Tool (ISTH-BAT) has differing reference ranges for adult males (0-3), adult females (0-5), and children (0-2), reflecting differing bleeding symptoms and exposure to hemostatic challenges in these healthy population subgroups. Age is known to markedly impact bleeding score in individuals with von Willebrand disease. However, the influence of age on bleeding score in healthy adult controls is poorly understood. Objectives: We aimed to assess variability in ISTH-BAT score with age among healthy control females. Methods: We used the legacy "Merging Project" dataset of normal healthy controls upon which current ISTH-BAT normal ranges are based. We included women, totaling 646 individuals. The normal range (middle 95th percentile) of total ISTH-BAT and grouped subdomain scores between age quartiles was assessed. Results: The normal range of ISTH-BAT scores increased with age, ranging from 0 to 4 in the youngest quartile (age range, 18-30) to 0 to 6 in the oldest (age range, 52-88). This increased variability with aging was related both to high menorrhagia domain scores in older women and an increase in postprocedural bleeding with accumulated exposure to hemostatic challenges. Conclusions: Cumulatively, our data highlight that normal aging leads to increased variability in bleeding scores in healthy adult females. Further refinement of the ISTH-BAT with age-adjusted reference ranges may improve the sensitivity and specificity of the tool among females.</p

ASH ISTH NHF WFH 2021 guidelines on the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease

Background: von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder known in humans. Accurate and timely diagnosis presents numerous challenges.Objective: These evidence-based guidelines of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), and the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) are intended to support patients, clinicians, and other health care professionals in their decisions about VWD diagnosis.Methods: ASH, ISTH, NHF, and WFH established a multidisciplinary guideline panel that included 4 patient representatives and was balanced to minimize potential bias from conflicts of interest. The Outcomes and Implementation Research Unit at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) supported the guideline-development process, including performing or updating systematic evidence reviews up to 8 January 2020. The panel prioritized clinical questions and outcomes according to their importance for clinicians and patients. The panel used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, including GRADE Evidence-to-Decision frameworks, to assess evidence and make recommendations, which were subsequently subject to public comment.Results: The panel agreed on 11 recommendations.Conclusions: Key recommendations of these guidelines include the role of bleeding-assessment tools in the assessment of patients suspected of VWD, diagnostic assays and laboratory cutoffs for type 1 and type 2 VWD, how to approach a type 1 VWD patient with normalized levels over time, and the role of genetic testing vs phenotypic assays for types 2B and 2N. Future critical research priorities are also identified.</p

Bleeding assessment tools in the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease: systematic review & meta-analysis of test accuracy.

Background Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) can be associated with significant morbidity. Patients with VWD can experience bruising, mucocutaneous bleeding, and bleeding after dental and surgical procedures. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to minimize the risk of these complications. Several bleeding assessment tools (BATs) have been used to quantify bleeding symptoms as a screening tool for VWD. Objective We systematically reviewed diagnostic test accuracy results of bleeding assessment tools (BATs) to screen patients for VWD. Methods We searched Cochrane Central, MEDLINE, and EMBASE for eligible studies, reference lists of relevant reviews, registered trials, and relevant conference proceedings. Two investigators screened and abstracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using QUADAS-2 and certainty of evidence using the GRADE framework. We pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity. Results The review included 7 cohort studies that evaluated the use of BATs to screen adult and pediatric patients for VWD. The pooled estimates for sensitivity and specificity were 75% (95% confidence interval [CI] 66%-83%) and 54% (29%-77%), respectively. Certainty of evidence varied from moderate to high. Conclusion This systematic review provides accuracy estimates for validated BATs as a screening modality for VWD. A BAT is a useful initial screening test to determine who needs specific blood testing. The pretest probability of VWD (often determined by the clinical setting/patient population), along with sensitivity and specificity estimates will influence patient management</p

Von Willebrand factor levels in the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) is associated with significant morbidity as a result of excessive mucocutaneous bleeding symptoms. Patients with VWD can experience easy bruising, epistaxis, gastrointestinal and oral cavity bleeding, as well as heavy menstrual bleeding and bleeding after dental work, surgical procedures, and childbirth. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent and treat these symptoms. We systematically reviewed the accuracy of diagnostic tests using different cut-off values of VWF:Ag and platelet-dependent VWF activity assays in the diagnosis of VWD. We searched Cochrane Central, MEDLINE, and EMBASE for eligible studies. Two investigators screened and abstracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using QUADAS-2 and certainty of evidence using the GRADE framework. We pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity and reported patient important outcomes when relevant. This review included 21 studies that evaluated VWD diagnosis, including the approach to patients with VWF levels that have normalized with age (6 studies), VWF cut-off levels for the diagnosis of Type 1 VWD (9 studies), and platelet-dependent VWF activity/VWF:Ag ratio cut-off levels for the diagnosis of Type 2 VWD (6 studies). The results showed low certainty in the evidence for a net health benefit from reconsidering the diagnosis of VWD versus simply removing the disease in patients with VWF levels that have normalized with age. For the diagnosis of Type 1 VWD, in patients with VWF:Ag <0.30 IU/mL, VWF sequence variants were detected in 75-82% of patients in 2 studies, and for VWF:Ag between 0.30-0.50 IU/mL, VWF sequence variants were detected in 44-60% of patients in 3 studies. A sensitivity of 0.90 (95% CI: 0.83 to 0.94), and a specificity of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.76 to 0.97) were observed for a platelet-dependent VWF activity /VWF:Ag ratio of <0.7 in detecting type 2 VWD (moderate certainty in the test accuracy results). VWF antigen and platelet-dependent activity are continuous variables with an increase in bleeding risk with decreasing levels. This systematic review shows that using a VWF activity/VWF:Ag ratio of <0.7 versus lower cutoff levels in patients with an abnormal initial VWD screen is more accurate for the diagnosis of type 2 VWD

Laboratory assays of VWF activity and use of desmopressin trials in the diagnosis of VWD: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) is associated with significant morbidity because of excessive bleeding. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent and treat these symptoms. We systematically reviewed the accuracy of any VWF activity assay in the diagnosis and classification of patients for VWD. We searched Cochrane Central, MEDLINE, and EMBASE for eligible studies. Risk of bias was assessed using QUADAS-2 and certainty of evidence using the GRADE framework. We pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity. The review included 77 studies that evaluated the use of newer tests of VWF platelet binding activity (VWF:GPIbR , VWF:GPIbM) and VWF:RCo for the diagnosis of VWD (13 studies), VWF propeptide to VWF:Ag ratio and desmopressin trial for the diagnosis of type 1C VWD (5 studies), VWF multimer analysis and VWF:CB/VWF:Ag ratio for the classification of type 2 VWD (11 studies), genetic testing and ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation to diagnose type 2B VWD (14 studies), genetic testing and FVIII:VWF binding to diagnose type 2N VWD (17 studies). Based on available diagnostic test accuracy, there appears to be comparable test accuracy results between newer tests of platelet binding activity of VWF function and VWF:RCo. The findings of these reviews support VWF multimer analysis or VWF:CB/VWF:Ag to diagnose type 2 VWD. The desmopressin trial test with 1- and 4-hour postinfusion blood work is the test of choice to confirm increased VWF clearance in patients with VWD suspected of type 1C. Additionally, genetic testing is most useful in diagnosing type 2B VWD and has a role in the diagnostic algorithm of suspected type 2N VWD