“Hermes” - Hemophilia Related Mental Illness: A Cross-Sectional, Multicenter Study in Switzerland

Background: The availability of clotting factor concentrates and prophylactic home treatment for patients with hemophilia (PWH) A and B in developed countries greatly improved clinical outcomes. As the life expectancy of affected patients has increased, the management of comorbidities has become a greater focus within the comprehensive care setting. However, most studies focus on somatic complications. The past two decades revealed a growing body of work reporting increased prevalence of mental health problems in PWH. Given the severity and chronicity of the disease, internalizing disorders (i.e. anxiety, depression) as well as externalizing disorders (i.e. substance dependency, irritability and aggression) seem to go hand in hand with hemophilia. We aimed to assess the prevalence of comorbid mental health problems among PWH in Switzerland. We investigated age effects on this relationship as well as potentially influencing factors (illness factors and environmental factors) that may account for these. We also aimed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and age dependency in this setting. We are heading to identify targets of prevention/early intervention of mental health problems and foster improvement of evidence-based interdisciplinary treatment in PWH. Methods:This multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted within six hemophilia treatment centers in Switzerland. Study participants were aged 6-99 years with congenital hemophilia of any severity. All participants or their legal guardians provided written informed consent, and the study was approved by the cantonal medical ethics committee of the responsible states. Participants aged 12 or older underwent a detailed personal psychological assessment followed by completing an online survey utilizing validated psychological measures (HRQoL, psychosocial functioning, somatic comorbidities/parental factors). Participants younger than 12 years underwent a detailed personal psychological assessment with one parent/legal guardian followed by an online survey to be completed by their parent/guardian. In all participants younger than 18 years, we assessed one parent/legal guardian additionally. Results:A total of n=164 PWH participated in the study (133 adult and 31 pediatric participants). Data analyses showed a median age of 39.26 years (SD 20.41). The majority of participants had hemophilia A (n=134, 82%), while hemophilia B was diagnosed in n=30 (18%) of participants. A severe hemophilia was re