Depression and anxiety in patients with hemophilia A and B

This study described the prevalence of and correlates of depression and anxiety in adult patients with hemophilia A and B.

In this cross-sectional study, we investigated patients with hemophilia who were being seen at an adult hemophilia center in Turkey. Participants were screened for depression and anxiety during their annual clinic visit, which included administration of the Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Scale.

Of the 90 patients, 22 (24.4%) met criteria for significant depressive symptoms and 67 (74.4%) met criteria for significant anxiety symptoms. There were no significant associations between depression and any psychosocial or clinical characteristics or adherence to hemophilia prophylaxis, except for educational status. No association was found between state and trait anxiety scores and psychosocial and clinical characteristics other than hemophilia type. After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariable analysis showed that high school education level was associated with depression (OR: 1.87, CI: 1.31-2.36, P = .010) and type B hemophilia was associated with anxiety (OR: 1.32, CI: 1.09-1.75, P = .042).

Depression and anxiety are major psychiatric comorbidities in patients with hemophilia in Turkey. Routine evaluation for mood and anxiety disorders are important in the routine care of patients with haemophilia.