Hypothyroidism and acquired von Willebrand's syndrome: a systematic review

Acquired von Willebrand's syndrome type I is the supposed main underlying cause of bleeding tendency in hypothyroid patients. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the published evidence on the association between hypothyroidism and acquired von Willebrand's syndrome. All published clinical epidemiological and interventional studies, case reports and in vitro studies that investigated the association between hypothyroidism and acquired von Willebrand's syndrome were identified by a computer-assisted search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases. A quality assessment was performed for clinical epidemiological studies. A total of 41 papers were included. A total of 22 epidemiological in vivo studies, two in vitro studies and 47 case reports were finally analyzed. No high quality in vivo study was identified. Almost all bleeding episodes described in the case reports were mucocutaneous. von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen value was available for 23 patients: median value 28 U/dL (range: 4-45); VWF activity was available for 24 patients: median value 28.5 U/dL (range: <3-55); factor VIII activity was available for 16 patients: median value 47 U/dL (range: 9-74). Acquired von Willebrand's syndrome may be the main factor responsible for bleeding diathesis in overt hypothyroid patients. Even if bleeding episodes are mainly mild and mucocutaneous, blood transfusion, drug administration or surgical procedure may be required.