RCSI research reveals age significantly impacts the diagnosis of a common blood disorder

8 January 2024: New research by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences published in Blood journal has revealed that the age at which individuals are tested for von Willebrand disease (VWD), a common bleeding disorder, significantly affects their diagnosis. This could be key in addressing current challenges in misdiagnosis and treatment of patients, potentially reducing the risk of bleeding complications during surgery and childbirth.   

VWD is the most common inherited bleeding disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly. It affects approximately 1% of people worldwide and is caused by reduced levels of a protein that helps with clotting called von Willebrand factor. This makes patients bleed more easily, causing issues like heavy periods, frequent nosebleeds and bleeding after surgery or childbirth, impacting their quality of life.  

Upon diagnosis, patients with VWD are assigned to one of several subtypes which guides their clinical treatment. Correct diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, especially for individuals with borderline von Willebrand factor levels. Led by Dr Ferdows Atiq and Professor James O’Donnell at RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, this research analysed data from two national studies from Ireland and the Netherlands and highlights how the timing of diagnostic testing can significantly influence the assigned subtype of VWD. 

Importantly, the analysis of over 500 patients showed that people with borderline von Willebrand factor levels i.e. moderately low levels of the factor, don't form a separate clinical group, contrary to previous assumptions. The diagnostic tests capture a single moment on an age-dependent gradient. This supports the idea that people tested at an older age are more likely to be misdiagnosed with a milder subtype of the disorder. 

“This study has revealed that age plays a critical role in the diagnosis of VWD, potentially leading to inaccuracies in both diagnosis and treatment” said Professor James O’Donnell, Director of the Irish Centre for Vascular Biology at RCSI. 

“The findings should encourage a review to our approach to testing for VWD to ensure that age-specific factors are integrated to improve the quality of life for patients and minimise risk”. 

The research also showed that as people with VWD get older, they respond better to a particular type of treatment. This indicates that older patients may require less medication, reducing the chances of experiencing side effects. This finding could open new possibilities for treating older patients with VWD. 

The research was conducted by RCSI in collaboration with the National Coagulation Centre in St James’s Hospital, Dublin and Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam. 

The study was funded by Science Foundation Ireland, the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development, Stichting Haemophilia, CSL Behring and Takeda. 

ENDS 

For further information:  

Laura Anderson, Communications Officer, RCSI 

087 199 0399/ lauraanderson@rcsi.ie   

About RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences 

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is ranked first in the world for its contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being, in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2023. 

Exclusively focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide, RCSI is an international not-for-profit university, headquartered in Dublin. It is among the top 300 universities worldwide in the World University Rankings (2024). RCSI has been awarded Athena Swan Bronze accreditation for positive gender practice in higher education.  

Founded in 1784 as the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) with national responsibility for training surgeons in Ireland, today RCSI is an innovative, world-leading international health sciences university and research institution offering education and training at undergraduate, postgraduate and professional level. 

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