Challenges for Hemophilia Patient Care Across the Middle East and North Africa

Abstract

Hemophilia A and B are inherited bleeding disorders characterized by deficiencies in blood coagulation factors VIII (FVIII) or IX (FIX), respectively. The estimated prevalence of hemophilia in selected countries from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) —Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia—ranges between 1.4 and 8.1 per 100 000 of the general population. The current standard of care for patients with hemophilia comprises regular prophylaxis with intravenously administered recombinant or plasma-derived factor concentrates. Adherence to a prophylactic regimen allows patients to maintain adequate factor levels to prevent hemarthrosis and other spontaneous bleeding episodes. In recent years, the increased availability of extended half-life (EHL) factor concentrates that require less frequent intravenous dosing has reduced the treatment burden for many patients. Emicizumab has recently emerged as a subcutaneous treatment for hemophilia. Other subcutaneous non-factor therapies are undergoing clinical trials. Together, these novel treatments are helping many individuals with hemophilia across the world to improve their quality of life (QoL).

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