Cross sectional study to investigate the influence of treatment regimes on the development of haemophilic arthropathy

SummaryHaemophilic arthropathy is often present in patients with severe haemophilia. New studies demonstrate that only a small amount and a short exposure of blood in vitro are able to induce an impairment of the joint cartilage. Free blood in the joint leads to different mechanisms and includes cartilage and bone damage induced by a release of macrophages and monocytes followed by activated cytokines and inflammatory processes. Another mechanism is mediated by free iron resulting in synovitis and synovial hyperplasia and a neoangiogenesis on the base of VEGF release is common. At worst, these processes result i…