ISTH Releases Clinical Practice Guideline For Haemophilia Treatment

The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), the most prominent international professional medical-scientific organization committed to improving the understanding, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of thrombotic and hemostatic conditions, released the first clinical practice guideline for the treatment of congenital haemophilia A and B.

Haemophilia, a rare bleeding illness caused by defects in blood coagulation factors, affects hundreds of thousands of people worldwide and necessitates complex treatment regimens. As the first complete guideline based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, it offers a rigorous and systematic decision-making framework for doctors, healthcare workers, patients, and their caregivers.

The goal of this guideline is to provide a comprehensive review of evidence for making informed treatment decisions. The ISTH was developed over several years and consists of a diverse panel of physicians and patient representatives from throughout the world, balanced to mitigate potential biases. This diverse panel highlighted critical clinical concerns and outcomes that are important for both professionals and patients.

The proposals underwent careful analysis, including public discussion, to ensure their comprehensiveness, transparency, and inclusivity. The result of this effort is a collection of 13 recommendations that cover essential elements of haemophilia A and B care. They are supplemented by lengthy comments that give context and help for interpretation and implementation.

Among these suggestions, considerable support exists for preventative treatment over episodic therapies for severe and moderately severe haemophilia A and B, indicating a paradigm shift in clinical practice.