Patients and doctors emphasized the importance of early and accurate diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (vWD) during a discussion organized by the Bulgarian Hemophilia Association (BAH). The topic was “100 years of von Willebrand disease – blood clotting disorders in women.”
Symptoms and challenges
The main symptoms of vWD include: nosebleeds, bleeding after tooth extraction, heavy menstrual bleeding, and skin bleeding. Assoc. Prof. Atanas Banchev pointed out that up to 1.6% of the world's population is affected, but in developed countries, more cases are diagnosed, especially among women. The complexity of the diagnosis in Bulgaria is related to the lack of a registry, expensive tests (available in only 2 hospitals), and non-payment by the Health Insurance Fund. Borderline values are often observed, making it difficult to make a diagnosis. He emphasized the importance of detailed questioning, especially in girls with heavy menstrual cycles.
Hemophilia and genetics
Dr. Gabriela Tomova explained that women who are carriers of the hemophilia gene have a higher tendency to bleed. They can be identified by analyzing the pedigree. She emphasized the stigma surrounding the topic of menstrual bleeding.
Causes and organization
The causes of hemophilia are low levels of proteins responsible for blood clotting. In Bulgaria, there are 650 patients with different forms of hemophilia. The BAH is organizing a cycling tour on April 25 in several cities.