Acquired factor VIII:C inhibitor in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome: successful treatment with steroid and immunosuppressive therapy

Acta Haematol. 1994;91(2):73-6. doi: 10.1159/000204257.

Abstract

A 57-year-old woman affected with Sjögren's syndrome without bleeding history developed spontaneous hematomas at the arms, the left foot and the thigh, cutaneous hemorrhages and hematuria. Routine coagulation tests showed a prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time associated with a marked reduction of factor VIII activity (VIII: C 5%). Other deficiencies of blood coagulation factors, especially von Willebrand factor, were excluded. Measurement of factor VIII inhibitor revealed an activity of 26.4 Bethesda units/ml. These findings were consistent with the diagnosis of acquired hemophilia A due to the presence of a factor VIII inhibitor. The patient was treated with a combination of prednisone and azathioprine. The therapy led, in a few months, to a significant reduction of factor VIII: C inhibitor and she did not require replacement therapy. Furthermore, there was a complete remission of the bleeding tendency. Long-term therapy for about 3 years induced the complete disappearance of the inhibitor and a full normalization of coagulation tests.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arm
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Azathioprine / administration & dosage*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Factor VIII / analysis
  • Factor VIII / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Female
  • Hematoma / etiology
  • Hematoma / immunology
  • Hematoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / methods*
  • Leg
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage*
  • Remission Induction
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / complications
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / immunology*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / therapy*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Factor VIII
  • Azathioprine
  • Prednisone