Of the 6208 people cared for, 102 (74.5% type 3, 17.6% type 2 and 7.8% type 1) were under treatment with prophylaxis. learn more The most frequent indications for prophylaxis were joint (40%), epistaxis/oral (23%), GI bleeding (14%) and menorrhagia (5%). Considering countries where prophylaxis is common in VWD, there are reasons to believe that it would benefit a much larger proportion of people than that found in the survey. The VWD PN will, through the VWD International Prophylaxis (VIP) study, address prophylaxis with prospective and retrospective studies in cohorts with, primarily, type 3 VWD, although the

population for consideration for prospective study entry also includes those with type 1 if ≤20% VWF:RCo and/or ≤20% FVIII, and DDAVP MAPK inhibitor non-responsive; type 2 if DDAVP non-responsive, or type 2B who have defined patterns

of gastrointestinal bleeding, joint bleeding, epistaxis or menorrhagia. The objectives of the VIP study are as follows: Identify subjects with VWD who may benefit from prophylaxis. Fifty patients will be enrolled in each bleeding indication group. The prospective study is a non-randomized, dose-escalation investigation where intervals are shortened according to the bleeding pattern. At the first level, 50 U of VWF:RCo per kg will be administered once weekly, at the second level twice weekly, and at the third level three times per week. The dose for women enrolled in the menorrhagia study see more group will escalate from 50 U VWF:RCo per kg on day 1 of menses, to treatment on days 1 and 2 and to treatment on days 1, 2 and 3. This schedule was chosen as the pharmacokinetics of FVIII differ from those seen after infusion of FVIII in haemophilia because of the endogenous release

of FVIII after infusion of VWF which gives a more sustained FVIII level [4]. This dosing approach has a potential to be even more efficacious than experienced in haemophilia [5]. Any product licensed for treatment of VWD may be used. As of February 2010, 18 centres (10 in Europe and 8 in North America) are recruiting patients and an additional 40 centres are preparing for or evaluating participation. Conclusions  The VIP study, within the framework of the VWD PN, will provide evidence-based guidelines for the use of prophylaxis in patients with VWD and frequent bleeding who are not responsive to or eligible for treatment with DDAVP. Summary  In absence of randomized prospective studies for most RBDs, guidelines for prophylaxis are a matter of controversy. It seems logical that in case of a strong family history of bleeding, long-term primary prophylaxis is administered in selected cases of severe RBD. Furthermore, primary prophylaxis limited in time could also be given before some surgeries or during pregnancy, especially for some severe deficiencies associated with pregnancy loss. When recurrent severe bleeds occur in a particular patient, secondary prophylaxis could be discussed.