von Willebrand Disorder
von Willebrand disorder is named after a Finnish doctor, Erik von Willebrand, who discovered the condition in 1925. It is the most common bleeding disorder. Some studies indicate it could affect up to 1% of the population in Australia, most of whom are undiagnosed.
There is no cure for von Willebrand's Disorder. However, effective treatment is available either ongoing or as needed.
von Willebrand's Disorder is due to a deficiency of von Willebrand's Factor which is a plasma factor that circulates in the blood attached to Factor VIII. The major function of von Willebrand's Factor is to bind platelets, small cell fragments in the blood, to minor ruptures in blood vessels.
von Willebrand's Disorder is inherited but in a different manner than haemophilia. It affects women as often as men. The abnormal gene is not on the X chromosome, but on the autosome.
Most people with von Willebrand's Disorder have a mild-to-moderate form. In some families, von Willebrand's Disorder appears to be inherited as a dominant condition due to one abnormal gene from one parent (who may or may not have bleeding problems). However, in other families, von Willebrand's Disorder may be inherited as a recessive, with abnormal genes from both parents but no bleeding problems.
Both men and women with von Willebrand's Disorder often are frustrated because mild cases of the disorder may be difficult to diagnose.
Many people with von Willebrand disorder don't have any symptoms but those who do may experience: frequent nosebleeds, easy bruising, heavy menstrual (period) flow, excessive bleeding in the mouth (from tongue and gums). Bleeding usually occurs only after injury although people with the severe type of von Willebrand disorder may bleed spontaneously.
For more information, visit Haemophilia Foundation Australia’s website at www.haemophilia.org.au
