Acquired hemophilia A (AHA), a disease we rarely think about

Abstract

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare, autoimmune disease of hemostasis (the system of stopping bleeding and blood clotting). It is a disease that is most often characterized by the sudden appearance of extensive bleeding on the skin and subcutaneous tissue in previously completely healthy people, who did not have a hemostasis disorder until then. Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a potentially life-threatening condition. If acquired hemophilia A (SHA) is not recognized in time and appropriate treatment is not started, the disease can have a fatal outcome. The incidence is 1-2 cases/million/year, and according to recent data, 5-6 cases/ million/year. Theoretically, at least 5-10 patients should appear in Serbia every year. During the pandemic (2020. and 2021.), only 3 patients were recognized in 2 years, which means that at least 7-17 patients were not recognized at all. Given that the mortality rate is up to 40%, this disease is potentially life-threatening and the big question is what happened to these unrecognized patients... Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a disease which is rarely thought of, insufficiently recognized, and therefore it is very important to increase the awareness of all health workers about the existence of this sudden and life-threatening disease.