A RECENT study, presented by Claire Kelly at the 2025 EAHAD Annual Meeting, has highlighted an emerging health issue for people with haemophilia (PWH): spinal stenosis, a condition typically associated with aging. This poster was awarded first place at the congress.
As advances in haemophilia care continue to improve life expectancy, older PWH are now facing new challenges related to age, including spinal degeneration. A team of researchers from Ireland reviewed the clinical and radiological data of 100 males aged 40 and older with moderate or severe hemophilia A or B. Their findings revealed that 13% of this cohort had radiologically confirmed symptomatic spinal stenosis, a rate significantly higher than the 4% found in the general population. The condition was more common as individuals aged, with 3.5% of those aged 40-59 affected, rising to 35.3% in those aged 70 and older.
Interestingly, the study found no significant difference in the Haemophilia Joint Health Scores (HJHS) between those with and without spinal stenosis (median 30 vs 35, p=0.6), suggesting that current joint assessments are not effective at detecting spinal issues. Additionally, individuals with spinal stenosis tended to undergo joint replacement surgery at older ages, raising questions about whether biomechanical changes contributed to the condition.
This research underlines the need for increased awareness of spinal stenosis as a complication in aging PWH, as well as the development of better diagnostic and management strategies.
Helena Bradbury, EMJ
Reference
Kelly C et al. Abstract PO036. Presented at EAHAD 2025 Annual Congress; Feb 4-7, Milan, Italy.
