Bleeding Disorders and the Liver

Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month is an opportunity for individuals and families as well as Haemophilia Foundations and other organisations to take part in a campaign and activities to raise awareness about haemophilia, von Willebrand disease and related inherited bleeding disorders around Australia.

People with bleeding disorders, such as haemophilia, are at a higher risk of contracting blood-borne viruses like viral hepatitis. This is due to frequent blood transfusions, which can lack appropriate screening in certain countries around the world. Because of this, there is a high percentage of chronic hepatitis C-infected haemophilia patients globally. However, direct-acting anti-virals have proven very successful in eliminating the hepatitis C virus in patients with comorbid haemophilia and are considered a first-line treatment.

In addition to this, the liver is the primary site of blood coagulation Factor VIII and Factor IX synthesis –  factors that help our blood clot. Therefore it is considered that the liver is vital in understanding bleeding disorders.

To find out more about Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, visit the link below.