Management of bleeding disorders in the elderly

We are entering a new phase in the management of patients with bleeding disorders such as haemophilia. This is the result of the positive effects that disease management strategies have had on patient longevity over the last 10-15 years. A greater number of individuals are entering middle- to old-age and, as a result, we face a new era of having to manage haemophiliac patients at risk of, or suffering from, age-related diseases. We can clearly learn from the experiences of geriatricians who have made many advances in the management of chronic disorders such as cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. However, the hypocoagulable state brings challenges of its own and it is important that we communicate our experiences so that the shared information can help drive improved levels of care and better clinical outcomes. In this article we look at factors that have impacted the life expectancy of patients with haemophilia over the last few decades, and we also review some of the early literature relating to cardiovascular risk management and the treatment of osteoporosis.