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A multicenter prospective observational cohort study to improve diagnostic yield and clinical management of persons with a Bleeding Disorder of Unknown Cause (BDUC-iN study protocol)

Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis, vol. 10, pp. 106882

Abstract

Background: In half of individuals referred for evaluation of bleeding symptoms, no hemostatic defect is identified with current standard hemostasis tests. These individuals are classified as having a bleeding disorder of unknown cause (BDUC). The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the bleeding tendency in BDUC are unknown. The absence of a clear, molecular diagnosis leads to significant challenges for healthcare professionals in terms of diagnostics and clinical management, as well as insecurity in patients and caregivers. Objectives: The BDUC in the Netherlands (BDUC-iN) study aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and optimize treatment strategies among individuals with BDUC by evaluating healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, health-related quality of life and by identifying underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of the bleeding tendency. Methods: This is a multicenter prospective observational cohort study aiming to include 500 persons with BDUC. Diagnostic, therapeutic and fundamental research questions are organized in dedicated work packages. Conclusions: Clinical data is collected longitudinally over a 10-year follow-up period. Quality of life and quality of care are assessed using validated questionnaires. Advanced hemostasis tests and proteogenomics are performed to characterize bleeding phenotypes and potentially identify hemostatic defects.Conclusions: The BDUC-iN study applies a structured approach to address current challenges in BDUC. It aims to improve clinical management and patient outcomes by attaining diagnostic accuracy and developing pathophysiologically-based treatment strategies. In turn, this will support the development of (evidence-based) clinical guidelines and shape future research initiatives in BDUC.

Authors 20

  1. Erasmus MC · Erasmus MC - Sophia Children’s Hospital

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands

  2. Maastricht University Medical Centre · Maastricht University

    Affiliation as printed

    CARIM-Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

    Department of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center and Hemophilia Treatment Center Nijmegen-Eindhoven-Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands

  3. Maastricht University Medical Centre · Maastricht University

    Affiliation as printed

    CARIM-Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

    Department of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center and Hemophilia Treatment Center Nijmegen-Eindhoven-Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands

  4. Maastricht University Medical Centre · Maastricht University

    Affiliation as printed

    CARIM-Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

    Department of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center and Hemophilia Treatment Center Nijmegen-Eindhoven-Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands

  5. Maastricht University Medical Centre · Maastricht University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center and Hemophilia Treatment Center Nijmegen-Eindhoven-Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands

  6. Maastricht University Medical Centre · Maastricht University

    Affiliation as printed

    CARIM-Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

    Department of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center and Hemophilia Treatment Center Nijmegen-Eindhoven-Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands

  7. Sanquin

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, Netherlands

  8. Maastricht University Medical Centre · Maastricht University

    Affiliation as printed

    CARIM-Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

    Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands

  9. Sanquin

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Molecular Hematology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, Netherlands

  10. Utrecht University · University Medical Center Utrecht

    Affiliation as printed

    Center for Benign Haematology, Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Van Creveldkliniek, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands

  11. Radboud University Nijmegen · Radboud University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands

    Hemophilia Treatment Centre Nijmegen-Eindhoven-Maastricht, Nijmegen, Netherlands

  12. Sanquin · Emma Kinderziekenhuis · Amsterdam University Medical Centers · University of Amsterdam

    Affiliation as printed

    Department Pediatric Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Emma Children's Hospital, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Department of Molecular Cellular Hemostasis, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, Netherlands

  13. University Medical Center Groningen

    Affiliation as printed

    Department Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands

  14. Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Medicine-Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands

  15. Máxima Medisch Centrum

    Affiliation as printed

    Department Hematology, Maxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, Netherlands

  16. Erasmus MC

    Affiliation as printed

    Department Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands

  17. Erasmus MC

    Affiliation as printed

    Department Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands

  18. Erasmus MC

    Affiliation as printed

    Department Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands

  19. Erasmus MC · Erasmus MC - Sophia Children’s Hospital

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands

  20. Maastricht University Medical Centre · Maastricht University

    Affiliation as printed

    CARIM-Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

    Department of Hematology, Maastricht University Medical Center and Hemophilia Treatment Center Nijmegen-Eindhoven-Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands

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References 36