Diagnosis of von Willebrand Disease in South Island, New Zealand

ABSTRACT

New Zealand is a small country of two islands and 4 million people, of which 1 million reside in the South Island. Canterbury Health Laboratories provides laboratory services to the whole of South Island and lower parts of North Island. There are 155 von Willebrand disease (VWD) patients in our South Island database, of which 17 have type 2 and 3 have type 3 VWD. A brief overview of diagnostic services for VWD being followed in our region is detailed in this article. We strive continually to advance the repertoire of diagnostic tests. We also present an analysis of our experience with a flow-based functional von Willebrand factor assay. The VWD patients are managed by hemostasis team members, who also provide screening and educational input to affected families. The Haemophilia Foundation of New Zealand is an active patient support group providing education and support both directed individually and in the group setting, through residential educational camps.

KEYWORDS

von Willebrand disease - VWD - von Willebrand factor - VWF function - flow cytometry - New Zealand - diagnostic algorithm

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