The incidence of impaired binding capacity of von Willebrand factor to collagen types I and III in patients with type 1 von Willebrand disease

Abstract

   Introduction. Along with the quantitative characteristics of the von Willebrand factor (vWF), more attention is paid to its qualitative characteristics in patients with von Willebrand disease (vWD).   Aim — to evaluate the frequency of vWF binding capacity disorders with type I collagen (vWF:CBAI) and type III collagen (vWF:CBAIII) in patients diagnosed with type 1 vWD and the diagnostic capabilities of these tests.   Material and methods. The prospective study included 224 female patients with previously diagnosed vWD type 1. The following tests were performed in the venous blood sample: von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), vWF:CBAI, vWF:CBAIII. The control group consisted of 80 healthy female blood donors.   Results. In the control group, the values of vWF:CBAI and vWF:CBAIII did not exceed the reference intervals. A decrease in vWF:CBAI was detected in 133 (59.4 %) patients and vWF:CBAIII in 26 (11.6 %) patients. An isolated decrease in vWF:CBAI was detected in 87 (38.8 %) patients . An isolated decrease in vWF:CBAIII was less common — in 6 (2.7 %) patients.   Conclusion. The study of vWF:CBAI and vWF:CBAIII appears to be useful as an additional diagnostic test to improve the distinction between healthy individuals and those with VWD.