ABSTRACT
In China, the care of patients with a bleeding disorder is not organized into designated
centers with a national protocol. However, currently developed organizations of hematologists
and hemophilia patients are beginning to ensure better diagnosis, treatment, and care
of affected patients. The diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) in China is still
at an early stage. Misdiagnosis of the disease is difficult to avoid, and there is
a need to improve our current diagnostic strategy. Our data show that assessment of
von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen levels is pivotal in ranking VWD clinical severity
for replacement therapy. Treatment choices for VWD in China are currently limited
to replacement therapy and antifibrinolytic drugs. Most VWD patients in China do not
need replacement therapy. New phenotypic assays and genetic testing of VWF for research
purposes have developed with results published in the Chinese medical literature in
the last few years, and many are practical and feasible for diagnostic application.
However, more efforts are needed for their widespread use for precise VWD diagnosis
in China.
KEYWORDS
v on Willebrand disease - diagnosis - treatment - China
REFERENCES
v on Willebrand factor in diagnosis and classification of VWD [in Chinese].
Zhonghua Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi.
2003;
24
491-492
rcyang65@yahoo.com
