The Impact of Emicizumab Prophylaxis on Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits Among Hemophilia A Patients Is Age Related

Abstract

IntroductionHemophilia A (HA) therapy poses a significant healthcare burden. In recent years, emicizumab has been approved for prophylaxis. The current study explores the impact of transitioning to emicizumab on emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations in pediatric and adult HA patients.MethodsData of HA patients transitioned to emicizumab at the Israeli National Hemophilia Center was retrospectively analyzed. Demographic information, inhibitor status, treatment duration, number, and reasons of ED visits and hospitalizations were assessed.ResultsOverall, transitioning to emicizumab significantly reduced ED visits and hospitalizations. While children experienced a significant reduction in both ED visits and hospitalizations, adults showed no statistically significant change. Post‐emicizumab initiation, main reasons for ED visits among children shifted from prophylactic treatment and central line‐associated complications to injury‐related incidents.ConclusionsThis real‐world analysis demonstrates a substantial decrease in ED visits and hospitalizations, following emicizumab prophylaxis in HA patients. However, this improvement was age dependent as it was observed only among children. Further prospective studies evaluating this aspect may shed light on these findings.