Deformities and disabilities of hemophilics undergoing treatment at the Hemoterapy and Hematology Centre of Espirito Santo, Brazil

Abstract

Hemophilia is a severe hereditary disorder that affects blood clotting; it can cause several permanent or transitory deformities and disabilities as well as psychosocial disorders on those affected. The proposition of this is study is not only to identify the main complications found on hemophilic individuals served by Espírito Santo´s Hemotherapy and Hematology Centre (HEMOES), but also discuss the necessity of insertion of a Occupational Therapy service as an everyday practice on the integral treatment of those diagnosed with hemophilia. 161 medical records of patients served by HEMOES from 2001 to 2004 were analyzed and complications related to hemophilia were extracted according to a previously defined protocol. The 161 medical records analyzed represent 40% of the total hemophiliacs registered at Espirito Santo state. Most of them were male (98%) and the most common type of disorder was TYPE A (77%). As for severeness levels, the highly and moderately severe prevailed, adding up to 43% of the cases, the least severe cases represented 16%. Deformities and disabilities of the articulatory system corresponded to 89% of the complications while the muscular system had 11%. It can be concluded that the profile of hemophiliac patients taken care by HEMOES is marked by high percents of deformities and disabilities. This situation urges for professional follow up from the biological up to the psychosocial levels and highlights the importance of insertion of the occupational therapist on the multiprofessional staff that cares for hemophiliacs, so that they can be treated integrally.