Pain and Joint Problems Drive Higher Depression, Anxiety in People with Hemophilia

People living with hemophilia are more likely to experience depression, anxiety and stress than most others. Barriers such as pain, joint problems and past viral infections— more than how severe their disease is or what treatment they receive—play the biggest role in their mental health, according to a study published in Haemophilia .

Hemophilia tends to lead to repeated joint bleeding, which can cause long-term damage known as hemophilic arthropathy, mainly occurring in the ankles, knees and elbows. This joint damage can limit movement, cause chronic pain,and significantly affect quality of life.

Hemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder that affects about 33,000 males in the United States, according to CDC estimates. It causes spontaneous bleeding or excessive bleeding after injury, o