Use of ultrasound for assessment of musculoskeletal disease in persons with haemophilia: Results of an International Prophylaxis Study Group global survey. Issue 4 (22nd May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ignas, Danial M.; Doria, Andrea S.; von Drygalski, Annette; Blanchette, Victor S.; Chang, Eric Y.; Dover, Saunya; Fischer, Kathelijn; Gibikote, Sridhar; Keshava, Shyamkumar N.; Querol, Felipe; Abad, Audrey; Babyn, Paul
• Is Part Of: Haemophilia. Volume 26:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 685
• Page End: 693
• Publication Date: 2020-05-22
• Subjects: haemarthrosis -- haemophilia -- outcome assessment -- ultrasound; Hemophilia -- Periodicals; 616.1572005
• DOI: 10.1111/hae.14006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-8216

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: The objective of this survey was to understand the global trends of imaging assessments in persons with haemophilia, focusing on point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS). Insights into the barriers impeding its widespread proliferation as a frontline imaging modality were obtained. Methods: The survey opened in September of 2017 and closed in May of 2018. Haemophilia Treatment Centres (HTCs) treating both paediatric/adult patients were the population of interest. A REDCap survey of 25 questions was disseminated to 232 clinical staff in 26 countries. Results: The majority of respondents (88.3%, 91/103) reported that POCUS is most useful to confirm or rule out a presumed acute joint bleed. European HTCs reported the highest routine use of POCUS at 59.5% (22/37) followed by HTCs in the "Other" countries of the world at 46.7% (7/15) and North American HTCs at 43.9% (25/57). At the time of the survey, physiotherapists were identified as the clinical staff who perform POCUS 52.8% (28/53) of the time, in contrast with nurses/nurse practitioners who represent only 5.7% (3/53) of users. The greatest perceived barriers to the implementation of POCUS are the lack of trained healthcare professionals who can perform POCUS at 69.2% (74/107) and the overall time commitment required at 68.2% (73/107). Conclusion: Despite POCUS being used in 49.5% (54/109) of sampled HTCs, it is still utilized almost 30% less globally than full diagnostic ultrasound. A list of barriers has been identified to inform HTCs which challenges they will likely need to overcome should they choose to incorporate this imaging modality into their practice.