1. DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS

1.1 Name of the disease (synonyms)

Haemophilia A (F8 deficiency).

1.2 OMIM# of the disease

306700.

1.3 Name of the analysed genes or DNA/chromosome segments

F8 (Xq28).

1.4 OMIM# of the gene(s)

306700.

1.5 Mutational spectrum

Approximately 45% of severe Haemophilia A is accounted for by a large gene inversion mediated via intron 22 of F8. A further 2–3% of severe disease is mediated via an inversion mechanism involving intron 1. The remaining severe and mild/moderate disease is due mainly to point mutations throughout the 26 exons of the gene. Indels (large or small) account for a minority of Haemophilia A cases. A locus-specific database for Haemophilia A, including information on reported mutations, can be found at http://hadb.org.uk/.

1.6 Analytical methods

Long PCR or ‘inverse’ PCR for detection of intron 22 mediated inversion.1, 2 Standard PCR or ‘inverse’ PCR for detection of the intron 1 mediated inversion.2, 3, 4

DNA sequencing of the essential regions of F8. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) can be applied to detection of rarer deletions or insertions.5, 6

1.7 Analytical validation

Recommended practice including analytical design, mutation validation procedures, and analytical pitfalls is discussed in a current practice guideline for the molecular analysis of Haemophilia A.7 External quality assurance (EQA) should be carried out where available. An EQA scheme has been established for genetic investigation of Haemophilia (and von Willebrand disease (VWD)), details of this scheme are available from UK NEQAS for blood coagulation.8 A World Health Organisation international standard gDNA reference material panel for the F8 intron 22 inversion mutation is available from the UK National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC).9 Internal quality control can be performed using anonymous reference mutants.

1.8 Estimated frequency of the disease (incidence at birth (‘birth prevalence’) or population prevalence)

1 in 5000 males.

1.9 If applicable, prevalence in the ethnic group of investigated person

Not applicable.

1.10 Diagnostic setting

Comment: Haemophilia A is an X-linked recessive bleeding disorder. Establishing if a bleeding disorder is associated with F8 is normally achieved by measurement of functional coagulation factor VIII levels (FVIII:C) using standard coagulation tests. The carrier status of females can be determined once the familial mutation has been identified in an affected male index case.

Differential diagnosis applies to confirmation of a moderate/mild Haemophilia A phenotype being linked to F8. Type 2N VWD is a rare condition in which the phenotype is near identical to mild or moderate Haemophilia A. Type 2N VWD is an autosomal recessive disorder which can be diagnosed or excluded by FVIII/VWF binding studies or analysis of the VWF locus.10 Acquired Haemophilia A, a late onset condition, is not linked to F8.

Predictive testing does not apply as males with a F8 mutation will be affected.

Risk assessment in relatives relates to genetic testing of females at risk of carriership. In general, carrier diagnosis is performed when requested after identification of the familial mutation in the index case. Prenatal diagnosis (PND) is available when requested; pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has been performed for Haemophilia A. Knowledge of carrier status can inform clinical management of childbirth.

2. TEST CHARACTERISTICS

2.1 Analytical sensitivity (proportion of positive tests if the genotype is present)

Greater than 99%.

2.2 Analytical specificity (proportion of negative tests if the genotype is not present)

Greater than 99%.

2.3 Clinical sensitivity (proportion of positive tests if the disease is present)

The clinical sensitivity can be dependent on variable factors such as age or family history. In such cases, a general statement should be given, even if a quantification can only be made case by case.

An estimated 98% for severe cases, however, mutations have not been identified in an estimated 2–18% of Haemophilia A patients overall, after exclusion of inversion events and mutations in the essential regions of F8.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 This proportion may vary according to the accuracy of the initial Haemophilia A diagnosis, particularly in milder cases, and the sensitivity of the mutation detection protocol in use. Modifying factors may affect the clinical severity of the phenotype to some extent, eg, co-inheritance of FV Leiden.

2.4 Clinical specificity (proportion of negative tests if the disease is not present)

The clinical specificity can be dependent on variable factors such as age or family history. In such cases, a general statement should be given, even if a quantification can only be made case by case.

Genetic screening is generally only performed on males with a diagnosis of Haemophilia A based on their FVIII:C level. Heterozygous female carriers do not exhibit the disease although ∼10% of ‘low level’ carriers may exhibit mild bleeding symptoms.18 Occasionally genetic screening for identification of the familial mutation is performed on an obligate carrier female where a sample from an affected male in the kindred is not available.

2.5 Positive clinical predictive value (life-time risk of developing the disease if the test is positive)

Not applicable as condition present from birth and the primary diagnosis is made on phenotypic analysis.

2.6 Negative clinical predictive value (probability of not developing the disease if the test is negative)

Assume an increased risk based on family history for a non-affected person. Allelic and locus heterogeneity may need to be considered.

Index case in that family had been tested:

Not applicable – see 2.5 above.

Index case in that family had not been tested:

Not applicable – see 2.5 above.

3. CLINICAL UTILITY

3.1 (Differential) diagnosis: The tested person is clinically affected

(To be answered if in 1.10 ‘A’ was marked)

3.1.1 Can a diagnosis be made other than through a genetic test?

3.1.2 Describe the burden of alternative diagnostic methods to the patient

Low for index males (blood collection). Carrier females cannot be definitively diagnosed by phenotypic means.

3.1.3 How is the cost effectiveness of alternative diagnostic methods to be judged?

Primary diagnosis in affected males achieved by measurement of FVIII:C levels. Identifying the mutation in an index male allows carrier detection in females (who cannot be diagnosed by phenotypic means) and, in severe Haemophilia A cases, subsequent PND or appropriate management of the birth. Genetic diagnosis is stratified depending on the severity of the disorder (see section 1.5). Approximately 48% of severe cases are accounted for by either the intron 22 (∼45%) or intron 1 inversion (∼3%) mutations which can be screened for directly. The remaining severe cases and all mild and moderate cases require DNA sequence analysis of the essential regions of F8 in order to identify the underlying mutation.

3.1.4 Will disease management be influenced by the result of a genetic test?

3.2 Predictive setting: The tested person is clinically unaffected but carries an increased risk based on family history

(To be answered if in 1.10 ‘B’ was marked)

3.2.1 Will the result of a genetic test influence lifestyle and prevention?

If the test result is positive (please describe):

No influence for affected males (diagnosis made phenotypically based on FVIII:C levels).

If a female is confirmed to be a carrier of severe Haemophilia A this may influence family planning decisions, eg, PND. If not already ascertained, a positive genetic test may lead on to establish if a female is a low level carrier by phenotypic means.

If the test result is negative (please describe):

A negative result in a female from a Haemophilia A family provides reassurance with regard to non-carrier status and removes concerns related to family planning.

3.2.2 Which options in view of lifestyle and prevention does a person at-risk have if no genetic test has been done (please describe)?

Males will be managed on their clinical presentation. Female query carriers with a low FVIII level may require management during at-risk procedures.

3.3 Genetic risk assessment in family members of a diseased person

(To be answered if in 1.10 ‘C’ was marked)

3.3.1 Does the result of a genetic test resolve the genetic situation in that family?

Yes.

3.3.2 Can a genetic test in the index patient save genetic or other tests in family members?

Identification of the mutation in an index case characterises the mutation in that family and may avoid testing of other affected males. It does not preclude screening for the familial mutation in possible carrier females wishing to definitively know their carrier status.

3.3.3 Does a positive genetic test result in the index patient enable a predictive test in a family member?

In general, affected males are identified by clinical presentation and FVIII:C levels.

3.4 Prenatal diagnosis

(To be answered if in 1.10 ‘D’ was marked)

3.4.1 Does a positive genetic test result in the index patient enable a prenatal diagnosis?

Yes. PND, if required, would only be performed on a male fetus. Normally this would only be considered in families with severe Haemophilia A, or in some cases of moderate Haemophilia A where there is a severe bleeding tendency. In developed countries, advances in patient management and the nascent use of PGD have resulted in PND for Haemophilia A being requested less frequently. Developing countries, which do not have ready access to FVIII replacement therapy, still have a high request rate for PND.

4. IF APPLICABLE, FURTHER CONSEQUENCES OF TESTING

Please assume that the result of a genetic test has no immediate medical consequences. Is there any evidence that a genetic test is nevertheless useful for the patient or his/her relatives? (Please describe)

Analysis of female carrier status is often requested due to the psychosocial implications of Haemophilia on a carrier and family. Knowing the carrier status in females who are pregnant with a male fetus may influence the degree of planned medical intervention during delivery. Genetic testing may be useful for prediction of inhibitor formation risk in mild or moderately affected males (see section 3.14).