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Summary: Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is an ultra‐rare disease that seldom occurs in the elderly. Few reports have studied the clinical course of iTTP in older patients. In this study, we have analysed the clinical characteristics at presentation and response to therapy in a series of 44 patients with iTTP ≥60 years at diagnosis from the Spanish TTP Registry and compared them with 209 patients with <60 years at diagnosis from the same Registry. Similar symptoms and laboratory results were described in both groups, except for a higher incidence of renal dysfunction among older patients (23% vs. 43.1%; p = 0.008). Front‐line treatment in patients ≥60 years was like that administered in younger patients. Also, no evidence of a difference in clinical response and overall survival was seen in both groups. Of note, 14 and 25 patients ≥60 years received treatment with caplacizumab and rituximab, respectively, showing a favourable safety and efficacy profile, like that observed in patients <60 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

María Eva Mingot-Castellano,1 Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Martorell,1 Ramiro José Nuñez-Vázquez,1 Pascual Marco2 1Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío. Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Sevilla, Spain; 2General Medicine Department, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, SpainCorrespondence: María Eva Mingot-Castellano, Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Sevilla, Spain, Email mariae.mingot.sspa@juntadeandalucia.esAbstract: Autoantibodies against plasma coagulation factors could be developed by some individuals inducing severe and sometimes fatal bleedings. This clinical entity is called acquired haemophilia. It should be suspected in subjects with acute abnormal bleedings, without personal or familiar history of congenital bleeding disorders with an unexplained prolonged aPTT. It is rare disease, although its incidence may be underestimated due to the low knowledge about it by many specialists, the frequent use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies in the affected population that can mask the diagnosis and, sometimes, a so withering effect that avoid its confirmation. Mortality ranges between 9% and 33% depending on the series in the first 2 months after diagnosis. This mortality is attributed in up to 40% of the cases to infections in the context of immunosuppressive treatments used to eliminate the inhibitor. Factor VIII levels below 1% and high inhibitor titers are conditions of worse response rates. Advanced age, patient’s ECOG, and underlying conditions are key prognostic factors for response to treatment and patient survival. To reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients, it is important to have clinical knowledge and access to guidelines to achieve an early diagnosis and to optimize the haemostatic and immunosuppressive treatment. This review aims to contribute to the dissemination of basic concepts on the epidemiology etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and management of these patients, as well as risk factors to get remission and the longest overall survival to allow individualized care. Especial awareness will be proposed in patients with some underlying conditions like cancer, autoimmune diseases, children, pregnancy or drugs.Keywords: acquired haemophilia, inhibitors, coagulopathy, autoimmune, bleeding

Objectives: Patients with severe haemophilia A (HA) receive factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy as prophylaxis. myPKFiT®is an online medical application that allows authorized users to simulate dosing regimens with patient pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles based on only 2 blood samples. Our aim was to assess the impact of using this medical device in routine practice in terms of FVIII consumption and clinical outcomes. Methods: Thirty‐six patients with severe HA on prophylaxis with Advate® were recruited in 3 centres in Spain. Annual bleeding rate (ABR), annual joint bleeding rate (AJBR) and annual FVIII consumption before and after adjustment were obtained using the patient’s clinical history (12 months before) and prospectively recorded data (12 months after), respectively. Adjustment was based on PK parameters provided by myPKFiT®, joint status and relative risk associated with physical activity and bleeding phenotype. Results: ABR and AJBR were significantly reduced after adjustment in the overall sample (−2.2 ± 1.3, P = .018 and −1.9 ± 1.2, P = .012, respectively) and in patients aged >15 years (−2.6 ± 1.4, P = .011 and −2.0 ± 1.2, P = .005, respectively). Adjustment had an effect on the individual FVIII consumption of most patients: annual amount was reduced in 18 cases and increased in 14. There was no significant effect on the mean amount (198 784 ± 110 387) compared to that used the year prior to myPKFiT®‐adjusted prophylaxis (199 466 ± 103 670; P = .737). Discussion: Our results suggest that PK‐guided prophylaxis using myPKFiT® improved clinical outcomes and optimized FVIII consumption in the study population. This personalized approach may reduce bleeding rates without significantly increasing the overall cost of FVIII therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Patients with severe haemophilia A (HA) receive factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy as prophylaxis. myPKFiT®is an online medical application that allows authorized users to simulate dosing regimens with patient pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles based on only 2 blood samples. Our aim was to assess the impact of using this medical device in routine practice in terms of FVIII consumption and clinical outcomes. Methods: Thirty‐six patients with severe HA on prophylaxis with Advate® were recruited in 3 centres in Spain. Annual bleeding rate (ABR), annual joint bleeding rate (AJBR) and annual FVIII consumption before and after adjustment were obtained using the patient’s clinical history (12 months before) and prospectively recorded data (12 months after), respectively. Adjustment was based on PK parameters provided by myPKFiT®, joint status and relative risk associated with physical activity and bleeding phenotype. Results: ABR and AJBR were significantly reduced after adjustment in the overall sample (−2.2 ± 1.3, P = .018 and −1.9 ± 1.2, P = .012, respectively) and in patients aged >15 years (−2.6 ± 1.4, P = .011 and −2.0 ± 1.2, P = .005, respectively). Adjustment had an effect on the individual FVIII consumption of most patients: annual amount was reduced in 18 cases and increased in 14. There was no significant effect on the mean amount (198 784 ± 110 387) compared to that used the year prior to myPKFiT®‐adjusted prophylaxis (199 466 ± 103 670; P = .737). Discussion: Our results suggest that PK‐guided prophylaxis using myPKFiT® improved clinical outcomes and optimized FVIII consumption in the study population. This personalized approach may reduce bleeding rates without significantly increasing the overall cost of FVIII therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction There has been increasing recognition in recent years that female carriers of haemophilia manifest abnormal bleeding; however, data on the use of bleeding assessment tools in this population are lacking. Aim Our objective was to validate the ISTH- BAT in haemophilia carriers to describe bleeding symptoms and allow for comparisons with factor levels and other patient groups. Methods This was a prospective, observational, cross-sectional study performed by members of Global Emerging HEmostasis Panel ( GEHEP). Unselected consecutive haemophilia carriers were recruited and a CRF and the ISTH- BAT were completed by study personnel. Results A total of 168 haemophilia carriers were enrolled: 155 haemophilia A and 13 haemophilia B. The mean age was 40 years (range: 20-82). Carriers had higher mean bleeding scores ( BS) compared with age-matched controls ( n = 46; 5.7 vs. 1.43; P < 0.0001) and Type 3 VWD OC ( n = 32; 3.0; P = 0.009), but lower BS compared with women with Type 1 VWD ( n = 83; 8.7; P < 0.0001). Fifteen carriers reported haemarthrosis, and of those six had normal FVIII/ FIX levels. There was a significant but weak negative correlation between BS and factor level (Spearman's r2 = −0.36, P < 0.001). Conclusion Our results show that haemophilia carriers experience abnormal bleeding, including haemarthrosis. Overall, BS in women with Type 1 VWD > haemophilia carriers > Type 3 VWD OC > controls. Understanding the performance of the ISTH- BAT in this population is a critical step in future research aimed at investigating the underlying pathophysiology of abnormal bleeding, with the ultimate goal of optimizing treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary Immune thrombocytopenia or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an acquired immune disorder presenting with abnormal hemorrhagic symptoms resulting from a decrease in the number of platelets. The disorder used to be attributed to increased destruction of platelets mediated by antibodies. In the past few years, the description of its etiopathology has changed. A deficiency in the marrow production of thrombocytes has been demonstrated; because it is associated with increased peripheral platelet destruction, the deficiency cannot be compensated. These findings have justified the realization of studies assessing the utility of second generation thrombopoietin analogues for the treatment of these patients. These drugs include romiplostim or AMG 537 (Nplate), a peptidic analogue that stimulates the thrombopoietin receptor and induces an increase In the production and differentiation of megakaryocytes. Data obtained from the clinical trials that led to the authorization and subsequent follow-up describe romiplostin as an effective and safe drug for adult patients with chronic ITR The overall response rate is 94%; despite variations in the levels of platelets throughout treatment, 50% of patients maintain the response 95% of the time, and 78% of patients discontinue or significantly reduce the use of rescue treatment. The most common adverse event is headache. Reticulin fibrosis has been described, which is reversible after treatment discontinuation.