ISSN 2997-1036
International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2012 | pp. 25–32
DOI: 10.46882/2012/IJH/000028
Original Article
Title: Evaluation of bleeding scores and platelet aggregation profiles in patients with suspected von Willebrand disease
Names of Authors: Q. S. Abubakar¹, U. T. Maina²
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Haematology, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria; ²Department of Pathology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
Abstract: Characterizing von Willebrand disease phenotypes requires a combination of clinical bleeding standardized assessment scores and functional platelet aggregation studies. This study evaluated 55 patients presenting with unexplained mucocutaneous bleeding, menorrhagia, or recurrent epistaxis using the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis bleeding score instrument. Laboratory assays quantified von Willebrand factor antigen levels, ristocetin cofactor activity, and platelet aggregation responses to ristocetin, adenosine diphosphate, and collagen. A high bleeding score (≥ 4 in males, ≥ 5 in females) was recorded in 41.8% (23 of 55) of the patients. Reduced ristocetin cofactor activity (< 30 IU/dl) and impaired ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation confirmed von Willebrand disease in 12.7% (7 of 55) of the cases, all consistent with Type 1 or Type 2 phenotypes. Bleeding scores correlated inversely with ristocetin cofactor functional activity values (r = -0.48, P < 0.05). Utilizing standardized clinical bleeding scores helps prioritize high-risk patients for advanced, specialized diagnostic platelet aggregation profiles.
Keywords: von Willebrand disease, bleeding score, ristocetin cofactor, platelet aggregation, menorrhagia
Manuscript Timeline: Received: January 08, 2012; Revised: February 18, 2012; Accepted: March 10, 2012; Published: April 15, 2012