Abstract
Introduction: Hemophilia remains underdiagnosed and inadequately managed in sub-Saharan Africa. We describe the epidemiological, clinical, biological, therapeutic, and outcome profile of patients followed up at the Charles de Gaulle hospital in Ouagadougou over a ten-year period.
Methods: This was a descriptive retrospective–prospective study (2006–April 2025) including all patients with confirmed hemophilia A or B followed up. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, circumstances of diagnosis, bleeding phenotype, biological results, therapeutic modalities, and complications. Data were analyzed using Epi Info v7.2.6.0, with a significance threshold set at p < 0.05.
Results: A total of 130 patients were included, with a median age [IQR] of 11 years [6–16], including one female. Hemophilia A represented 80% of cases and hemophilia B 20%. The median age at diagnosis was 5.5 years (IQR 1.5–10.6). Circumstances of diagnosis were dominated by hemorrhagic events (72.3%), notably post-trauma (31.5%) and post-circumcision (20.8%). Median [IQR] factor levels were 1.3% [0.7–2.1] for FVIII and 1.7% [0.4–2.6] for FIX. Moderate and severe forms accounted for 73 (56.2%) and 51 (39.2%) cases, respectively. Treatment was mainly on-demand (65.4%), including extended half-life products (41.5%) and Emicizumab (15.4%). Complications included chronic arthropathy (30%, predominantly of the knee) and inhibitors in 7 patients.
Conclusion: This study highlights delayed diagnosis of hemophilia in our setting, a predominance of moderate and severe forms, and limited use of prophylactic treatment, which explains the frequency of joint complications observed. Strengthening these points are essential to improve the quality of life of patients with hemophilia in Burkina Faso.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Koumpingnin Nebie, Salam Sawadogo, Hamtadi Pierre Claver Babongo, Ghislaine Yameogo/Sawadogo, Fabienne Sanou, Myriam Nikiema/Miningou, Catherine Traore, Awa Oumar Toure, Eleonore Kafando