Subclinical synovial proliferation in patients with severe haemophilia A: The value of ultrasound screening and biochemical markers

Aim Subclinical bleeding and inflammation play a role in progression of haemophilic arthropathy. Synovial proliferation is predictive of joint bleeding and its early detection may guide treatment changes and prevent arthropathy progression. This study evaluated the prevalence of active and inactive subclinical synovial proliferation and investigated potential biochemical blood/urine markers to identify patients with active subclinical synovial proliferation. Methods This cross‐sectional study included patients with severe haemophilia A born 1970–2006 who were evaluated during routine clinic visits. Patients with (a history of) inhibitors or recent joint bleeding were excluded. Elbows, knees and ankles were examined for subclinical synovial proliferation by ultrasound and physical examination. Active synovial proliferation was distinguished from inactive synovial proliferation using predefined criteria. Blood/urine biochemical markers (serum osteopontin, sVCAM‐1, Coll2‐1, COMP, CS846, TIMP, and urinary CTX‐II) were compared individually and as combined indexes between patients with and without active synovial proliferation. Results This cohort consisted of 79 patients with a median age of 31 years (range 16.5–50.8 years) with 62/79 (78%) of the patients using continuous prophylaxis. The annualized joint bleeding rate over the last 5 years was .6 (.2–1.1). Active (17/79, 22%) and inactive subclinical synovial proliferation (17/79, 22%) were both prevalent in this cohort. Biochemical markers were not correlated with active subclinical synovial proliferation. Conclusion Subclinical synovial proliferation, both active and inactive, was prevalent in patients with severe haemophilia A with access to prophylaxis and would be overlooked without routinely performed ultrasounds. Biochemical markers were unable to identify patients with active subclinical synovial proliferation.