Changes in von Willebrand factor level and von Willebrand activity with age in type 1 von Willebrand disease

摘要

In a normal population, VWF plasma levels (VWF:Ag) and VWF activity (VWF:RCo) increase by approximately 0.17 and 0.15 IU/ml per decade, but the influence of age is unknown in patients with type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD). In a retrospective cohort study, the medical records of 31 type 1 VWD patients over the age of 30, who had been followed for ≥5 years, were reviewed for baseline clinical data and previously performed VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo and factor VIII levels (FVIII:C). VWF multimer analysis was normal in 27/31 cases performed. Mean bleeding score was 9.4 (range 2-21). Mean age at diagnosis was 33 (range 16-60 years), and duration of follow-up ranged from 5-26 years (mean 11 years). Patients had 2-10 time points of VWD testing (mean of 5.2). The mean VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo and FVIII:C at time of diagnosis were 0.44 IU/ml 0.34 IU/ml and 0.75 IU/ml. At last follow-up, the mean VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo and FVIII:C were significantly increased to 0.71 IU/L, 0.56 IU/ml and 0.90 IU/ml (p=<0.001, <0.001, and 0.0081, respectively). 18/31 patients had VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo and FVIII:C levels that increased into the normal range. The rate of change in VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo was 0.30 IU/ml (0.214-0.386, CI 95%, p<0.0001) and 0.20 IU/ml per year (0.126-0.274, CI 95%, p=0.0001). Patients with type 1 VWD experience age-related increases to VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo which can result in normalization of VWF levels. Further studies are required to determine if the bleeding phenotype resolves with the increases in VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo levels.