Abstract
Hemophilic arthropathy refers to persistent joint disease caused by multiple hemarthrosis in a target joint; this complication occurs in up to half of patients with severe hemophilia, and over half of patients who have hemarthroses. As one of the two pillars of motion, hemophilic arthropathy and hemarthroses lead to impaired motion and eventually muscle atrophy and impairment of quality of life. Major areas for muscle atrophy are lower and upper limbs. In this study we aimed to evaluate the hand grip strength (HGS) of our patients with hemophilia A. 20 patients with hemophilia A and 20 age matched healthy male individuals are included in the study. HGS was measured using a digital hand dynamometer. Mean age of our patients was 36.65 years (19-67) and our control group 36 years (20-54). Mean HGS was 27.13 kg (23.5-29.9) in patients and 45.56 in control group (31.3-67.1). Mean ABR was 2.15 (1-6). 17 patients received secondary prophylaxis while 3 received on demand treatment. All patients reported previous history of hemarthrosis in the ankle. HGS was significantly lower in patients than controls (p = 0.000). In patients, HGS was related with age (p value 0.006) but not related with ABR or type of treatment as prophylaxis or on demand while in control group, HGS was not related with age (p = 0.606). Handgrip strength evaluation is a useful and easy tool to determine and document sarcopenia. It should be used within routine physical examination as a parameter to be improved.