Gaining Insight Into the Complexity of Pain in Patients With Haemophilia

Joint pain has been reported as a major problem in people with haemophilia (PwH). Therefore, haemophilia in adults seems clinically more related to a musculoskeletal disorder than a bleeding disorder, with many patients reporting a pain intensity exceeding 6/10 on a visual analogue scale. However, although the complexity of joint pain has been studied in chronic joint pain conditions such as low back pain, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, until present only very limited research has been done on joint pain within PwH. Therefore, exploring the underlying mechanisms and the functional implications of this intense joint pain is urgently needed. As such, the main aim of the current prospective observational study is to gain more insights in joint pain in PwH enabling us to move towards adequate pain management in PwH.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Hemophilia A; Hemophilia B
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: Biopsychological pain assessment

Detailed Description

In this study, adult patients with moderate or severe Haemophilia from the Haemophilia Treatment Centers will be invited to participate in the study. Patients willing to participate will be asked to complete a battery of questionnaires in the week prior to the study. Patients will undergo a comprehensive baseline evaluation after their regular appointment with their treating hematologist.

During the baseline assessment, the structure of ankle and knee joints will be assessed, using respectively magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound evaluation. Besides, patients will be asked to perform some active movements to quantify the physical functions of the lower limb and will undergo an extensive pain assessment.

During one month following baseline assessment, patients will be closely monitored. They will be asked to fill in a diary linked to their usual logbook in which they indicate the minimal and maximal intensity of pain, location of pain, intake of regular or additional (in case of bleeding) clotting factors, intake of analgesics, occurrence and location of assumed bleeding. Patients will be asked to wear an activity tracker to register the number of steps during this month.The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) will be used to evaluate the self-reported estimation of weekly physical activity.

During the next 11 months, patients will be asked to fill in three online pain-related questionnaires: the Brief Pain Inventory, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire once a month.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 100

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Anthe Foubert; Phone Number: 0032 3 265 97 18; Email: anthe.foubert@uantwerpen.be

Study Locations

• Belgium
  • Brussel, Belgium, 120
    • Recruiting
    • Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
  • Antwerp
    • Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium, 2650
      • Recruiting
      • University Hospital Antwerp
      • Contact: Anthe Foubert; Email: anthe.foubert@uantwerpen.be

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years to 63 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult males with moderate or severe Haemophilia A or B will be recruited from the Haemophilia Treatment Centers in Antwerp (Antwerp University Hosptial) and Brussels (Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc). Age-matched healthy control subjects will be recruited from family and acquintances of the researchers and hospital/university personnel.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult (18-65y) patients with moderate (i.e. between 1 and 5 % normal Factor activity) or severe (less than 1% normal Factor activity) Haemophilia A (i.e. Factor VIII deficiency) or B (i.e. Factor IX deficiency)
• Dutch or French speaking
• Patients who provide their haemophilia treatment regimen to be stable (i.e. a regular treatment during the last 6 months, verified by the existing patients' logbook).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients suffering from known neuropathies with definite medical causes independent from the haemophilia (e.g. diabetes polyneuropathy)
• Patients with a haemarthrosis in the month preceding study participation will be excluded as well. In case of doubt, ultrasound will be used to check the presence of bleed in the joint.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Intervention / Treatment

Haemophilia; Adult males with severe or moderate haemophilia A or B

Diagnostic test: Biopsychological pain assessment; At baseline (T0) patients underwent the somatosensory pain assessment, joint structure and function assessment and filled in all questionnaires. During one month after baseline (T1) patients wore an activity tracker and filled in the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire and the International Physical Activity questionnaire. During one year after the baseline assessment (T2) patients filled in every month The Brief Pain Inventory, Illness Perceptions Questionnaire and the EQ-5D-5L quality of life questionnaire.; Other Names: Pain-related questionnaires: Brief Pain Inventory, Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions, Central Sensitization Inventory; Psychological questionnaires: Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Fear Avoidance and Beliefs Questionnaire, The EuroQol-5 (EQ-5D-5L) quality of life questionnaire; Functional questionnaires: Haemophilia Activity List, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ); Joint structure: Magnetic Reasoning Imaging (MRI) ankles & ultrasound evaluation of affected joints; Joint function: Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS 2.1), Timed Up & Go, 2 minutes walking test, activity tracker; Somatosensory pain assessment: Quantitative Sensory testing protocol, Conditioned Pain Modulation protocol

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain localisation	The body chart of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) was used to investigate painful body sites.	At baseline (T0)
Pain localisation	The body chart of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) was used to investigate painful body sites.	At one year follow-up (T2)
Pain severity	The BPI was used to evaluate the individual's pain experience within the last 24 hours by four items, resulting in a total pain severity score. Minimum score 0, maximum score 10. The higher te score, the higher the pain severity.	At baseline (T0)
Pain severity	The BPI was used to evaluate the individual's pain experience within the last 24 hours by four items, resulting in a total pain severity score. Minimum score 0, maximum score 10. The higher te score, the higher the pain severity.	At one year follow-up (T2)
Pain interference	The BPI was used to evaluate how much pain interferes with patient's daily activities. This was assessed by seven items, resulting in a total pain interference score. Minimum score 0, maximum score 10. The higher the score, the more pain interference.	At baseline (T0)
Pain interference	The BPI was used to evaluate how much pain interferes with patient's daily activities. This was assessed by seven items, resulting in a total pain interference score. Minimum score 0, maximum score 10. The higher the score, the more pain interference.	At one year follow-up (T2)
Signs of neuropathic pain	The Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions (DN4) was applied as a screening tool for the presence of a neuropathic pain component. Minimum score 0, maximum score 10, a score of ≥4/10 was used as a cut-off.	At baseline (T0)
Signs of central sensitization	The Central Sensitisation Inventory (CSI) part A was used to identify signs of central sensitization (CS) i.e. increased sensitivity of nociceptive neurons in the central nervous system.The presence of 25 pain-related psychological, cognitive and functional signs are scored from 0 (never) to 4 (always). A total score exceeding ≥40/100 indicated central sensitization.	At baseline (T0)
Pain Catastrophizing	The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) asked participants to reflect on previous painful experiences and to rate their degree of catastrophic thinking in the content domains of rumination, magnification and helplessness. A score of 0 (not at all) to 4 (all the time) was indicated for each of the 13 items, resulting in a total score range of 0-52. Higher scores were associated with higher levels of pain catastrophizing.	At baseline (T0)
Anxiety and Depression	The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to establish symptoms of anxiety and depression. This 14-item questionnaire consists of two subscales each including 7 items, the first to identify anxiety and the second depression. Individual items were scored from 0 to 3, resulting in a total range score of 0-21 for each subscale. A score of ≥8/21 was determined as a cut-off, indicating anxiety and depression.	At baseline (T0)
Fear Avoidance and Beliefs	The fear avoidance and beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) will be used to assess fear avoidance behaviors. The first five items question physical activity, the other 11 activities work. A minimum score is 0, maximum 24. Higher scores indicate fear avoidance behaviors.	At baseline (T0)
Life quality	The EQ-5D-5L was used to assess quality of life. From five items investigating the impact of their disease, a health utility score was calculated. Additionally, the questionnaire consists of a visual analogue scale (VAS) labelled from 0: "worst imaginable health state," to 100 "best imaginable health state" providing the EQ-VAS.	At baseline (T0)
Life quality	The EQ-5D-5L was used to assess quality of life. From five items investigating the impact of their disease, a health utility score was calculated. Additionally, the questionnaire consists of a visual analogue scale (VAS) labelled from 0: "worst imaginable health state," to 100 "best imaginable health state" providing the EQ-VAS.	At one year follow-up (T2)
Haemophilia Activity Limitations	The Haemophilia Activity List (HAL) was used to assess activity limitations and participation restrictions people with haemophilia suffer with. A sum score and component scores can be calculated, resulting in scores ranging from 0-100. Lower scores represent higher levels of participation restrictions.	At baseline (T0)
Physical endurance ability	The 2 minutes walking test (2MWT) was used as a performance-based test to assess their functional activity. Subjects were asked to walk as far as possible for two minutes in a 30 meters flat corridor, resulting in the walking distance in meters.	At baseline (T0)
Physical functioning	The Timed Up & Go (TUG) consists of asking the patient to sit on a standard armchair; stand up and walk 3 meters; turn around at the line and walk back to the chair and sit down at a normal pace.	At baseline (T0)
Joint structure US	Ultrasound (US) examinations will be performed with a linear probe (3-13 MHz) Esaote, type MyLab Gamma, Genova, Italy).The Haemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with Ultrasound (HEAD-US) scanning procedure and scoring method will be performed by one of our investigators. A score of 0/8 (normal bone 0/2, normal cartilage 0/4, absent hypertrophic synovium 0/2) is considered normal. A score above 1/8 is considered as abnormal.	At baseline (T0)
Joint structure MRI	Magnetic Reasoning Imaging (MRI) of the ankles will be performed with a 3T-magnet (GE Signa Premier, GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, USA).Joint images will be classified with the international Prophylaxis Study Group (IPSG) scale. Joints will be classified as abnormal if talocrural joints or subtalar joints were positive at IPSG-score. Joints will be considered healthy if the total score was of 1/17.	At baseline (T0)
Illness perceptions	The illness perceptions questionnaire (B-IPQ) includes nine items ranging from 0 (minimum) to 10 (maximum) and questions the perceptions related to the patients disease. No total score exists, as each item is scored individually. Higher scores indicate more negative or unhelpful illness perceptions. A change score between baseline (T0) and one year follow-up (T2) will be calculated.	At baseline (T0)
Illness perceptions	The illness perceptions questionnaire (B-IPQ) includes nine items ranging from 0 (minimum) to 10 (maximum) and questions the perceptions related to the patients disease. No total score exists, as each item is scored individually. Higher scores indicate more negative or unhelpful illness perceptions. A change score between baseline (T0) and one year follow-up (T2) will be calculated.	At one year follow-up (T2)
Physical activity	The International Physical Activity Scale (IPAQ) questions the hours of physical activity over the last week. Based on the patient's answers a MET-minute score is calculated (MET-minutes x weight in kilograms/60kilograms)	At baseline (T0)
Physical activity	The International Physical Activity Scale (IPAQ) questions the hours of physical activity over the last week. Based on the patient's answers a MET-minute score is calculated (MET-minutes x weight in kilograms/60kilograms)	At one month follow-up (T1)
Joint function	Joint function of the ankles, knees and ankles was assessed with the HJHS 2.1. Minimum score is 0, maximum, 20. The higher the score the more functional limitations. HJHS scores are considered positive when scores reach 1/20.	At baseline (T0)
Warm and cold detection threshold	Thermal hyper or hypo esthesia were assessed with a thermode attached at the dominant wrist by use of a validated Quantitative Sensory testing protocol with the Medoc TSA-2 device.	At baseline (T0)
Warm and cold pain thresholds	Thermal hyper or hypo algesia were assessed with a thermode attached at the dominant wrist by use of a validated Quantitative Sensory testing protocol with the Medoc TSA-2 device.	At baseline (T0)
Mechanical pain thresholds	Mechanical local and widespread hyperalgesia indicated by lower pressure pain thresholds were assessed with a digital algometer at the knee joints, ankle joints and forehead. This by use of a validated quantitative sensory testing protocol.	At baseline (T0)
Temporal summation of pain	Temporal summation (or bottom-up sensitization) of pain was assessed by use of a 60g Von Frey monofilament at the medial knee and dorsal side of the wrist of the dominant side.	At baseline (T0)
Conditioned Pain Modulation	Dysfunctional endogenous pain inhibition (as form of central pain processing) was assessed by a validated protocol applying the Medoc TSA-2 device with thermodes attached at both wrists.	At baseline (T0)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain interference change	The BPI was used to evaluate how much pain interferes with patient's daily activities. This was assessed by seven items, resulting in a total pain interference score. Minimum score 0, maximum score 10. The higher the score, the more pain interference.A change score between baseline and one year follow-up will be calculated.	Change from baseline (T0) to one year follow-up (T2)
Pain severity change	The BPI was used to evaluate the individual's pain experience within the last 24 hours by four items, resulting in a total pain severity score. Minimum score 0, maximum score 10. The higher te score, the higher the pain severity.A change score between baseline (T0) and one year follow-up (T2) will be calculated.	Change from baseline (T0) to one year follow-up (T2)
Fear Avoidance and beliefs change	The fear avoidance and beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) will be used to assess fear avoidance behaviors. The first five items question physical activity, the other 11 activities work. A minimum score is 0, maximum 24. Higher scores indicate fear avoidance behaviors. A change score between baseline (T0) and one year follow-up (T2) will be calculated.	Change from baseline (T0) to one year follow-up (T2)
Anxiety and Depression change	The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to establish symptoms of anxiety and depression. This 14-item questionnaire consists of two subscales each including 7 items, the first to identify anxiety and the second depression. Individual items were scored from 0 to 3, resulting in a total range score of 0-21 for each subscale. A score of ≥8/21 was determined as a cut-off, indicating anxiety and depression.A change score between baseline (T0) and one year follow-up (T2) will be calculated.	Change from baseline (T0) to one year follow-up (T2)
Illness Perceptions change	The illness perceptions questionnaire (B-IPQ) includes nine items ranging from 0 (minimum) to 10 (maximum) and questions the perceptions related to the patients disease. No total score exists, as each item is scored individually. Higher scores indicate more negative or unhelpful illness perceptions. A change score between baseline (T0) and one year follow-up (T2) will be calculated.	Change from baseline (T0) to one year follow-up (T2)
Pain Catastrophizing change	The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) asked participants to reflect on previous painful experiences and to rate their degree of catastrophic thinking in the content domains of rumination, magnification and helplessness. A score of 0 (not at all) to 4 (all the time) was indicated for each of the 13 items, resulting in a total score range of 0-52. Higher scores were associated with higher levels of pain catastrophizing. A change score between baseline (T0) and one year follow-up (T2) will be calculated.	Change from baseline (T0) to one year follow-up (T2)
Pain localisation change	The body chart of the Brief Pain Inventory was used to investigate painful body sites. A change score between baseline (T0) and one year follow-up (T2) will be calculated.	Change from baseline (T0) to one year follow-up (T2)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Universiteit Antwerpen
• Collaborators: University Hospital, Antwerp; Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc- Université Catholique de Louvain
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Nathalie Roussel, Universiteit Antwerpen; Principal Investigator: Cedric Hermans, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc / UCLouvain; Principal Investigator: Catherine Lambert, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc / UCLouvain; Principal Investigator: Sébastien Lobet, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc / UCLouvain; Principal Investigator: Philip Maes, University Hospital, Antwerp; Principal Investigator: Anthe Foubert, University of Antwerp - UCLouvain; Principal Investigator: Valérie-Anne Chantrain, University of Antwerp - UCLouvain; Principal Investigator: Mira Meeus, Universiteit Antwerpen

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 13, 2020
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): February 1, 2023
• Study Completion (Anticipated): February 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 28, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 3, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): November 7, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 7, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 3, 2022
• Last Verified: October 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Pain; Haemophilia; arthropathy; Biopsychosocial
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Hematologic Diseases; Blood Coagulation Disorders, Inherited; Coagulation Protein Disorders; Hemorrhagic Disorders; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked; Blood Coagulation Disorders; Hemophilia A; Hemophilia B
• Other Study ID Numbers: PAINSTUDY_2019; 2019/28OCT/469 (Other Identifier: CEHF); B300201942304 (Other Identifier: Belgian registration number); 19/43/483 (Other Identifier: University Hospital Antwerp); EDGE000540 (Other Identifier: University Hospital Antwerp)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: Undecided

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No