Von Willebrand's Disease

Von Willebrand's Disease (VWD) is a bleeding disease similar to Hemophilia that affects both males and females equally. Von Willebrand Factor is a protein discovered by Dr. Von Willebrand. It circulates attached to Factor VIII. It is necessary to form a clot. Type 1 (VWD) is widely undiagnosed and may affect up to 2% of the population.

Symptoms

• frequent nose bleeds
• easy bruising
• bleeding from the gums when baby teeth fall out or after tooth extractions
• heavy bleeding during menstruation (menorrhagia)
• menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days.
• bleeding into the stomach or intestine (gut).

Many people with (VWD) do not notice anything is wrong. They realize they have a bleeding problem only when another person in the family is diagnosed with (VWD) or they have a serious injury or surgery.

Types

Type 1 - Low levels of Von Willebrand Factor. Usually Mild. Affects 70- 80% of people with Von Willebrand's Disease

Type 2 - Normal levels of Von Willebrand Factor but defective. Can by severe. Affects 15-30% of people with Von Willebrand's Disease

Type 3 - No Von Willebrand Factor. Always severe. The rarest of the Von Willebrand diseases.

Treatment

Type 1’s & some Type 2’s use an inhaled hormone product called Stimate® that causes stored Von Willebrand Factor to be released into the bloodstream. It is well tolerated by most patients but can cause headaches, flushing and increased pulse.

Some Type 2’s and all Type 3’s infuse Factor. They must use Humate®-P because it contains Von Willebrand Factor. Manufacturers are working on a non plasma derived factor product that contains Von Willebrand Factor.

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