Ten-Year Trends in Haemophilia A Care in the East Mediterranean Region: Insights From WFH Annual Global Surveys (2014-2023).

BACKGROUND

Haemophilia A (HA) is a single-gene disorder with significant regional variation in prevalence and case ascertainment across the world. This study estimates the trends in its prevalence, regional variation and treatment patterns in the East Mediterranean region from 2014 to 2023 stratified by income groups.

METHODS

A secondary data analysis of World Federation of Hemophilia Annual Global Survey (2014-2023) was conducted across 14 countries to assess the difference between HA prevalence, severity, age distribution and Factor VIII usage, by the World Bank income groups.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HA increased from 5.02 to 7.86 per 100,000 between 2014 and 2023, although not significant. Significant differences were reported in the mean prevalence rate, percent of observed to expected cases, disease severity and adult-to-child ratio by income groups. Low-income countries (LICs) exhibited the highest increase (166%) in the prevalence. When categorised by severity, severe HA cases comprised 48% overall, with the highest being in high-income countries (56%) and the lowest in LICs (34%). The median Factor VIII utilisation also varied across the income groups. Factor VIII utilisation increased notably in high as well as LICs (394% and 347%, respectively), although the latter remained significantly under-utilised (0.28 IU/capita in 2023).

CONCLUSIONS

HA prevalence is rising in the East Mediterranean Region, with marked disparities in diagnosis and treatment by income level, highlighting the need for stronger surveillance, strengthening diagnostic facilities and equitable care access to care in LICs.