Von Willebrand disease- platelet type
Overview
A condition that is characterised by autosomal inheritance and is a disorder that is charaterised by prolonged bleeding time.
Symptoms
* Recurrent nose bleeds * Bruising * Gum bleeding * Menorrhagia * Gastrointestinal bleeding
Causes
Unlike hemophilia, von Willebrand’s disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait that affects males and females equally. One theory of pathophysiology holds that mild to moderate deficiency of factor VIII and defective platelet adhesion prolong coagulation time. Specifically, this results from a deficiency of the vWF, which stabilizes the factor VIII molecule and is needed for proper platelet function. Defective platelet function is characterized by: ❑ decreased agglutination and adhesion at the bleeding site ❑ reduced platelet retention when filtered through a column of packed glass beads ❑ diminished ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation. Recently, an acquired form has been identified in patients with cancer and immune disorders. Von Willebrand’s disease, which doesn’t have any racial or ethnic associations, affects about 1% of the population.
Diagnosis
The signs and symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Von Willebrand disease, platelet type. This medical information about signs and symptoms for Von Willebrand disease, platelet type has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Von Willebrand disease, platelet type signs or Von Willebrand disease, platelet type symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Von Willebrand disease, platelet type may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Von Willebrand disease, platelet type symptoms.