Cardiovascular comorbidities in a United States patient population with hemophilia A: A comprehensive chart review

Purpose

Previous retrospective claims database analyses reported increased prevalence and earlier onset of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with versus without hemophilia A. A comprehensive chart review was designed to further investigate previous findings.

Methods

This retrospective chart review study was conducted at Henry Ford Health System (Detroit, MI, USA). Baseline demographics, bleeding events, treatment parameters, coexisting diseases, hemophilia-associated events, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and prevalence of 12 cardiovascular risk factors and associated diseases were compared between hemophilia A and control cohorts. P values from a chi-square test for categorical variables and a t test for continuous variables were calculated. Because of small sample sizes (N?=?0–90, most <50), statistical differences between cohorts were also assessed using absolute standardized difference.

Results

Both groups were well matched by age, race, healthcare payer, and study year. The Charlson Comorbidity Index score was similar between groups. Prevalence of bleeds, hepatitis B and C, and HIV/AIDS was higher in the hemophilia cohort. Hemophilia A severity was severe, moderate, mild, or unknown in 52.7%, 10.8%, 10.8%, and 25.7% of patients, respectively. Prevalence of 12 cardiovascular risk factors and diseases was numerically higher in the control cohort, but differences were statistically significant (P?≤?0.05) only for diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Meaningful statistical differences using standardized differences were not reached for venous and arterial thrombosis and atrial fibrillation.

Conclusions

This retrospective chart review did not confirm statistically significant differences in cardiovascular comorbidities and their earlier onset in hemophilia A versus controls. Results suggest numerically higher comorbidities in controls.