Diagnosing Von Willebrand Disease

Crownover et al examine the criteria required to diagnose von Willebrand disease (vWD). vWD is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, with a 1% prevalence reported in a multiethnic population. The diagnosis of vWD requires two clinical criteria: (1) a personal history, family history, or physical evidence of mucocutaneous bleeding and (2) a qualitative or quantitative decrease in functional activity of von Willebrand factor (vWF). Patients with low vWF antigen levels may benefit from desmopressin (DDAVP), which increases endothelial release of vWF antigen. If treatment with desmopressin is unsuccessful, Alphanate, is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of vWD.