Hemophilia Severity and Its Association With Mental Health and Health‐Related Quality of Life—Results From a Cross‐Sectional Multicenter Study
Major treatment advances have transformed hemophilia care, allowing most people with hemophilia (PwH) to have average lifespans. Reduced bleeding complications have shifted attention to overall well-being and mental health of PwH. The multicenter Swiss HERMES study examined 164 children and adults with hemophilia to explore the link between disease severity, treatment regimen, mental health, and health-related quality of life using standard questionnaires and a psychiatric interview. About one in four participants had at least one mental disorder-most often depression, substance use disorders, or ADHD. Participants with moderate or severe hemophilia, or lower clotting factor levels, reported poorer health-related quality of life. Prophylactic treatment may support mental health in participants with moderate or severe hemophilia. These findings show that mental health issues are common in PwH and highlight the need to integrate psychological screening and support into comprehensive hemophilia care.
Authors
- Francesca Schmitt
- Michael Kaess (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0031-7764)
- Katrin Scheinemann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3578-7152)
- Sylvia von Mackensen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5926-0478)
- Corinna Reichl (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0092-2788)
- Manuela Albisetti
- Nicolas von der Weid (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9555-3817)
- Stefan Lerch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9578-6864)
- Johanna A. Kremer Hovinga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1300-7135)
- Mutlu Kartal‐Kaess (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2713-3300)
- Alice Trinchero
- Marialuisa Cavelti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4726-396X)
- Laura Aliena Maier
- Ines Mürner‐Lavanchy
- Pierre Fontana
- Lukas Graf
Institutions
- University of Bern (CH)
- Bern University of Applied Sciences (CH)
- Universität Hamburg (DE)
- University of Lucerne (CH)
- University of Basel (CH)
- Heidelberg University (DE)
- University Hospital of Bern (CH)
- University Hospital Heidelberg (DE)
- University Hospital of Zurich (CH)
- University Hospital of Geneva (CH)
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (DE)
- Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania (US)
- University Children’s Hospital Basel (CH)
- University Children's Hospital Zurich (CH)
- Ostschweizer Kinderspital (CH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Haemophilia
- Published
- 2026-01-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/hae.70219
- Primary Topic
- Hemophilia Treatment and Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern
- Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung