Psychological factors and bleeding frequency in hemophilia. Lack of association.

Overview

To assess the role of psychological factors in hemophilic bleeding frequency we studied 51 severe hemophilic men above the age of 16 who were on home treatment and under care by five cooperating comprehensive hemophilia centers. Psychological status was assessed by three instruments [Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI); Holmes-Rahe Life Events Inventory (LEI); and Daily Hassles Scales], and bleeding episodes were recorded for a 3 month period. A multiple regression analysis showed no association between bleeding frequency and MMPI subgroups, LEI, or the frequency of hassles. There were no significant differences between hemophiliacs with high bleeding frequencies and those with low bleeding frequencies on any of the scales or tests. The MMPI scale scores and profiles and the Holmes-Rahe Life Event scores were not significantly different from norms. These data suggest that, at least among patients under comprehensive care and on home treatment, the psychological factors measured by these instruments are not related to the bleeding frequency of most hemophiliacs.