“I didn’t know women could have haemophilia”: A qualitative case study

Abstract

There is a historic but persistent belief in haemophilia care that women do not suffer with the condition, they merely carry and transmit it. However, around 250 women worldwide are known to have factor levels within the severe to moderate haemophilia range (<1 IU/dL to 5 IU/dL), and the true figure may be greater than this. The experience of these women may be the same as or similar to those of men with similar factor levels, but there may be significant differences. What these differences are and what they mean to the women affected are not well understood as their voices are not heard. This case study highlights the issues and experiences of one woman living severe haemophilia.

Keywords

• haemophilia
• identity
• clinical trials
• women
• case study