Judith R. Baker

A Model for a Regional System of Care to Promote the Health and Well-Being of People with Rare Chronic Genetic Disorders

People with rare, inherited chronic health conditions, such as hemophilia, face added physical, social, emotional, and fiscal challenges beyond those that are common to more prevalent chronic conditions. In 1975, a partnership among clinicians, consumers, and government agencies created a nationwide regional health delivery system that increased access to clinical care, prevention, and research, thereby improving health outcomes for people with hemophilia in the United States. Today, more than 130 Comprehensive Hemophilia Diagnostic and Treatment Centers in 12 regions serve 70%-80% of the nations hemophilia patients. Health care leaders and advocates for other rare, expensive, chronic disorders may find that regionalization improves survival and reduces disability among affected populations. However, diverse and stable resources are needed to sustain such a model in our profit-oriented US health care arena.

Surveillance of female patients with inherited bleeding disorders in United States Haemophilia Treatment Centres

Summary.  Inherited bleeding disorders are especially problematic for affected girls and women due to the monthly occurrence of menstrual periods and the effects on reproductive health. Although heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is the most common manifestation, females with inherited bleeding disorders (FBD) experience other bleeding symptoms throughout the lifespan that can lead to increased morbidity and impairment of daily activities. The purpose of this article is to describe the utility of a female‐focused surveillance effort [female Universal Data Collection (UDC) project] in the United States Haemophilia Treatment Centres (HTCs) and to describe the baseline frequency and spectrum of diagnoses and outcomes. All FBD aged 2 years and older receiving care at selected HTCs were eligible for enrolment. Demographic data, diagnoses and historical data regarding bleeding symptoms, treatments, gynaecological abnormalities and obstetrical outcomes were analysed. Analyses represent data collected from 2009 to 2010. The most frequent diagnoses were type 1 von Willebrand’s disease (VWD) (195/319; 61.1%), VWD type unknown (49/319; 15.4%) and factor VIII deficiency (40/319; 12.5%). HMB was the most common bleeding symptom (198/253; 78.3%); however, 157 (49.2%) participants reported greater than four symptoms. Oral contraceptives were used most frequently to treat HMB (90/165; 54.5%), followed by desmopressin [1‐8 deamino‐D‐arginine vasopressin (DDAVP)] (56/165; 33.9%). Various pregnancy and childbirth complications were reported, including bleeding during miscarriage (33/43; 76.7%) and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) (41/109; 37.6%). FBD experience multiple bleeding symptoms and obstetrical‐gynaecological morbidity. The female UDC is the first prospective, longitudinal surveillance in the US focusing on FBD and has the potential to further identify complications and reduce adverse outcomes in this population.

Burden of illness: direct and indirect costs among persons with hemophilia A in the United States.

Abstract Objective: To examine the direct and indirect costs of hemophilia care among persons with hemophilia A in the US. Methods: Observational data were obtained from HUGS-Va, a multi-center study from six federally supported hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs). Eligible individuals completed a standardized initial questionnaire and were followed regularly for 2 years to obtain information on work or school absenteeism, time spent arranging hemophilia care, and unpaid hemophilia-related support from caregivers. Data from 1-year healthcare utilization records and 2-year clotting factor dispensing records measured direct medical costs. Indirect costs were imputed using the human capital approach, which uses wages as a proxy measure of work time output. Results: A total of 222 patients with complete data were included in the analysis. Two-thirds had severe hemophilia and the mean age was 21.1 years. The use of prophylaxis in severe hemophilia patients is associated with statistically significant reduction in the numbers of emergency department (ED) visits and bleeding episodes compared with those who were treated episodically. From the societal perspective, mild hemophilia costs

Men with severe hemophilia in the United States: birth cohort analysis of a large national database

59,101 (median:

US Hemophilia Treatment Center population trends 1990-2010: patient diagnoses, demographics, health services utilization.

7519) annually per person,

Physical functioning in boys with hemophilia in the U.S.

84,363 (median:

Haemophilia Utilization Group Study - Part Va (HUGS Va): design, methods and baseline data

61,837) for moderate hemophilia,

High School Completion Rates Among Men with Hemophilia

201,471 (median:

Physical activity and health outcomes in persons with haemophilia B

143,431) for severe hemophilia using episodic treatment, and

Young adults with hemophilia in the U.S.: demographics, comorbidities, and health status

301,392 (median: