Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Frequent infusions and bleeds can impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of paediatric haemophilia B patients. rIX-FP (IDELVION(®) ) is a fusion protein linking recombinant factor IX with recombinant albumin, and is associated with low bleeding rates with a weekly regimen, which could improve HRQoL. AIMS: To measure the effect of rIX-FP prophylaxis on the HRQoL of paediatric patients and treatment satisfaction in their caregivers using the Haemo-QoL and Hemo-SAT(P) questionnaires, respectively. METHODS: At baseline and end-of-study (EOS), patients 4-11 years old participating in the PROLONG-9FP program answered the Haemo-QoL questionnaire and gave information on their socio-demographic data and physical activity. Caregivers completed the Hemo-Sat(P) . Minimal important differences (MID) (|Cohen's d| > 0.5) between baseline and EOS and the number of responders (patients with meaningful subject-level improvements over time) at EOS were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty patients (age group I: 4-7 years old [n = 12]; age group II: 8-12 years old [n = 8]) completed the Haemo-QoL questionnaire at baseline. MIDs were found in age group I representing improvement for "physical health" (d = -0.547) domain; 60% of patients were responders for "physical health." In age group II, MIDs were seen in most domains; 71.4% patients were responders in "total score." In caregivers, improvements were seen for most domains of the Hemo-Sat(P) with a small effect size. Fewer patients missed school when treated with rIX-FP and 94.1% patients maintained their physical activity level. CONCLUSION: Prophylaxis with rIX-FP led to substantial improvements in HRQoL in paediatric patients and treatment satisfaction in caregivers.