Von Willebrand disease

Definition

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a hereditary bleeding disorder caused by a genetic anomaly leading to quantitative, structural or functional abnormalities of the Willebrand factor (von Willebrand factor; VWF). Two major groups of VWF deficiency have been defined: quantitative and partial (type 1) or total (type 3), and qualitative (type 2) with several subtypes (2A, 2B, 2M, 2N; see these terms). The prevalence of VWD in the general population is estimated at between 0.1 and 1% (including all forms) depending on the study, but the prevalence of symptomatic VWD that requires specific treatment is estimated at between 1/50,000 and 1/8,500. Age of onset varies, with earlier onset being associated with more severe VWF deficiency. The disease manifests as abnormal bleeding of variable severity occurring either spontaneously or in association with an invasive procedure. The bleeding anomalies are generally characterized by mucocutaneous hemorrhage (epistaxis, menorrhagia, etc.) but hematomas and hemarthrosis may occur in more severe forms. VWD is caused by mutations in the VWF gene (12p13.3) encoding the multimeric VWF protein. The VWF protein has an intraplatelet, endothelial and plasmatic localization and plays essential roles both in the interaction of platelets with the injured vessel wall and in the transport and stabilization of factor VIII (FVIII). VWD is most often transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner, however, the mode of inheritance is autosomal recessive for type 3 VWD and for some of the type 2 subtypes. Diagnosis relies on laboratory tests involving functional and immunological assays of VWF and FVIII levels. Determination of the type of VWD requires very specific tests such as studies of the distribution of VWF multimers. Measurements of VWF levels generally allow VWD to be distinguished from hemophilia A (see this term). However, this test does not allow differentiation of type 2N VWD, which requires more specific tests. Differentiation between acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS; see this term), which occurs in association with another underlying pathology, and inherited VWD is more problematic. The fact that individuals in the general population belonging to blood group O may also have moderately lower levels of VWF should also be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis. Genetic counseling should be proposed to inform patients about the severity of the disease and the associated risks, and to allow screening for detection of other affected family members. For couples at risk of having a child with type 3 disease, genetic counseling may be best discussed in a specialized multidisciplinary centre. Management depends on the type of VWD. Desmopressin is generally an effective preventative or curative treatment for abnormal bleeding in type 1 VWD. In patients with type 2 disease, the response to desmopressin is variable and substitution therapy with purified human VWF is often required. Desmopressin does not constitute an effective treatment for patients with type 3 disease, and thus these individuals require substitution therapy with purified human VWF associated, at least for the first injection, with FVIII. For patients managed within specialized hemostasis and thrombosis hospital centers, the prognosis is favorable, even for those with the most severe forms of the disease.

Exclusions

• factor VIII deficiency with functional defect
• factor VIII deficiency NOS
• Acquired von Willebrand disease or syndrome

Inclusions

• Factor VIII deficiency with vascular defect
• Vascular haemophilia
• Angiohaemophilia
• Von Willebrand disease type 1
• Von Willebrand disease type 2
• Von Willebrand disease type 3

Index Terms