• Hematomas and nose bleeds are the most common manifestations of the disease.
• Excessive menstrual bleeding among women.
• Excessive bleeding even with trivial wounds or oral cavity bleeding.
• There is a rare chance of gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Heavy bleeding after tooth extraction or any other oral surgery.
• In patients with vWD, bleeding is prolonged.
• After surgery, severe hemorrhage is observed.
• In patients with vWD, the common physical findings are normal, though the patients may show physical sequele including bleeding or bruises [7] [8].

• Sepsis

  Hecke F, Schmidt U, Kola A, Bautsch W, Klos A, Kohl J: Circulating complement proteins in multiple trauma patients – correlation with injury severity, development of sepsis and outcome. Crit Care Med 1997;25:2015–2024. [karger.com]

  Matrix-metalloproteinases and their inhibitors are elevated in severe sepsis: prognostic value of TIMP-1 in severe sepsis. Scand J Infect Dis (2006) 38:867–72. doi:10.1080/00365540600702058 PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar 87. [frontiersin.org]

  Elevated von Willebrand factor antigen is an early plasma predictor of acute lung injury in nonpulmonary sepsis syndrome. J Clin Invest. 1990;86(2):474–80. 33. [annalsofintensivecare.springeropen.com]

  […] processing steps and their intracellular localization - Wagner, Marder - 1984 24 Cardiovascular risk factors, including thrombotic variables, in a ORIGINAL ARTICLE 134 - A, HA, et al. 21 Six at six: interleukin-6 measured 6 h after the initiation of sepsis [citeseerx.ist.psu.edu]

  8 These tests can exclude other bleeding problems, such as isolated low platelet counts from thrombocytopenic disorders, isolated prolongation of prothrombin time from warfarin use, and low fibrinogen levels from diffuse intravascular coagulation or sepsis [aafp.org]

• Pediatric Disease

  All Mental Disorders and Treatment All Mental Disorders and Treatment From A-Z Pediatric Disease and Treatment Pediatric disease and treatment app for childhood diseases and child treatment. [apkamp.com]

• Hemophilia A

  Previously indicated for control of spontaneous bleeding episodes and to cover surgical interventions in hemophilia A and hemophilia B patients who have inhibitors, Feiba can now be used for routine prophylaxis to prevent bleeding in patients with hemophilia [pharmacytimes.com]

  […] of hemophilia A patients with a shortened survival of infused factor VIII (FVIII) (not caused by a specific FVIII inhibitor) Evaluation of female patients with low FVIII activity and no prior family history of hemophilia A Evaluation of patients with [mayomedicallaboratories.com]

  PMID 21947221. ^ a b c National Hemophilia Federation (2014-03-05). "Von Willebrand Disease". National Hemophilia Federation. [en.wikipedia.org]

  Sub Menu Disorders Bleeding Disorders Hemophilia A Hemophilia B von Willebrand Disease Platelet Function Disorder ITP Rare Bleeding Disorders Clotting Disorders Anemia The most common inherited bleeding disorder is von Willebrand Disease (VWD), affecting [ilbcdi.org]

  […] and Thrombosis Research Society, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, World Federation of Hemophilia Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Novonordisk, Shire Received research [emedicine.medscape.com]

• Easy Bruising

  bruising Frequent or excessive nosebleeds Heavy menstrual bleeding Heavy and prolonged bleeding after surgery, dental work, injury or childbirth [ilbcdi.org]

  The main symptoms are easy bruising, frequent or prolonged nosebleeds, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding and prolonged bleeding following injury, surgery, dental work or childbirth. [nm.org]

  Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is characterized by bleeding symptoms that result in easy bruising, skin bleeding, prolonged bleeding from mucosal surfaces, heavy menstrual bleeding, and serious bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Von Willebrand Disease - Most common inherited bleeding disorder Clinical • Easy bruising • Skin bleeding • Prolonged bleeding from mucosal surfaces (oropharyngeal, GI. uterine) Laboratory • Normal platelet count (mild thrombocytopenia in type 2B) • Normal [grepmed.com]

• Prolonged Bleeding

  Heavy and prolonged bleeding after surgery, dental work, injury or childbirth [ilbcdi.org]

  […] in 2B) 3. similar to type 1 but a severe autosomal recessive form (1%) CLINICAL FEATURES Presentation asymptomatic epistaxis bruising haemarthrosis haematoma menorrhagia Previous and/or family history of the above INVESTIGATIONS normal platelet count prolonged [lifeinthefastlane.com]

  Seven abnormalities have been reported to characterize the disease: prolonged bleeding time, capillary abnormality, thrombocytopathy, reduced blood-clotting factor VIII levels in the plasma, overresponse of factor VIII to transfusion, and reduced platelet [jamanetwork.com]

  Laboratory results usually show a prolonged bleeding time, possibly a prolongation of APPT and a deficiency of factor VIII. However, vWD cannot be ruled out if the APPT and F VIII levels are normal. [lecturio.com]

  Here, we report the first known case of congenital platelet disorder and von Willebrand disease presenting as prolonged bleeding after cleft lip and palate repair. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Thrombosis

  Vickie McDonald and Marie Scully, Disorders of haemostasis and thrombosis, Medicine, 37, 3, (149), (2009). Emmanuel J. [doi.org]

  Program, Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York Suchitra S Acharya, MD, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Hematology, Hemophilia and Thrombosis Research Society, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis [emedicine.medscape.com]

  […] of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Heart Disease

  Increased VWF levels are observed in hypertension (HTN) and disorders of endothelial dysfunction, for example, atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) and diabetes. Whether low VWF protects against HTN is unknown. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  This type of VWD in adults results after a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease, such as lupus, or from heart disease or some types of cancer. It can also occur after taking certain medications. [hemophilia.org]

  Nevertheless, acquired forms of von Willebrand disease can be observed in the following conditions: Congenital heart disease [14] Angiodysplasia, telangiectasia, connective tissue disorders Seizure disorders treated with valproic acid A meta-analysis [emedicine.medscape.com]

  You can also get acquired VWD after taking certain medications, or from heart disease or some types of cancer. What Causes It? Most of the time, you inherit VWD from one or both parents. [webmd.com]

• Bleeding Gums

  Signs and symptoms include bruises, nose bleeding, gum bleeding following a dental procedure, heavy menstrual bleeding, and gastrointestinal bleeding Includes true von willebrand disease with mutation at the vwf locus, as well as mimicking disorders with [icd9data.com]

  gums, and bleeding after dental extraction. [pharmacytimes.com]

  Signs and symptoms include bruises, nose bleeding, gum bleeding following a dental procedure, heavy menstrual bleeding, and gastrointestinal bleeding. [fpnotebook.com]

  The main symptoms are: bruising easily or getting large bruises frequent or long-lasting nosebleeds bleeding gums heavy or long-lasting bleeding from cuts in women, heavy periods and bleeding during or after labour heavy or long-lasting bleeding after [nhs.uk]

• Oral Bleeding

  Can treat oral bleeding with a mouth-wash of TXA! Crush tablets in 10-15ml of water and have patient hold that in their mouth for 5 min before swallowing. [pedemmorsels.com]

  Deposition of hemosiderin and other blood degradation products on the tooth surfaces and turn them brown can occur if continuous oral bleeding over long periods.[31] The location of oral bleeds was as follows: labial frenum, 60%; tongue, 23%; buccal mucosa [en.wikipedia.org]

  Biting on a tea bag can help stop oral bleeding because tannin in tea promotes local vasoconstriction and clotting. Topical adrenaline promotes vasoconstriction and stimulates the release of stored vWF and factor VIII. [journals.lww.com]

  The following treatment options can be employed in treating a bleeding patient with vWD 64 : Local measures: Minor bleeding from nasal or oral bleeding may be managed with prolonged local pressure to the injury site or with the use of certain topical [doi.org]

  The aim is to determine the responsiveness to prophylaxis in patients with clinical manifestations of joint, gastrointestinal and/or nasal/oral bleeding, or menorrhagia, and the dose and intervals of treatment required to control bleeding episodes. [karger.com]

• Purpura

  혈전성 혈소판감소성 자반증(thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura)(M31.1) D69.0 알레르기성 자반증(Allergic purpura) 아나필락토이드 자반증(Anaphylactoid purpura) 헤노흐(-쇤라인) 자반증(Henoch(-Schonlein purpura) 출혈성 비혈소판감소성 자반증(Haemorrhagic nonthrombocytopenic purpura) 특발성 비혈소판감소성 자반증(Idiopathic [dic.impact.pe.kr]

  An infant with presumed maternal immune thrombocytopenic purpura had persistent thrombocytopenia with platelet clumping. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Von Willebrand Diseases Idiopathic Thrombocytenic Purpura Diseases of Plasma Include: Deep Vain Thrombosis Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Hypercogulable State Van Willebrand Diseases [play.google.com]

  Mutations in a member of the ADAMTS gene family cause thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. [citeseerx.ist.psu.edu]

• Petechiae

  The von Willebrand disease… …always presents itself in form of petechiae. …always presents itself in form of sugillations. …always presets itself in form of a purpura. …can often take an asymptomatic course. …always takes an asymptomatic course. 2. [lecturio.com]

  Platelets function well enough that petechiae and purpura rarely occur. [msdmanuals.com]

  The examiner should note the size, location, and distribution of any ecchymoses, hematomas, or petechiae, and should assess for evidence of risks of increased bleeding, such as the following [12] : Jaundice or spider angiomata Splenomegaly Arthropathy [emedicine.medscape.com]

  Physical examination findings that may suggest a bleeding disorder include petechiae, ecchymoses, or other evidence of recent bleeding, although absence of these signs does not exclude the possibility of an underlying bleeding condition (7). [acog.org]

• Ulcer

  Abstract A sacral pressure ulcer developed in a patient hospitalized for cerebral infarction. Each time necrotic tissue was debrided from the ulcer, pressure hemostasis was necessary to stop the bleeding. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Arthritis Linked To Ulcerative Colitis Hip Yoga are the most Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are very common in the hand and cause. [tobi-project.eu]

• Osteoporosis

  There is little data regarding the efficacy of therapeutic interventions for the prevention of osteoporosis in patients with IBD. Recently, guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis and IBD have been published. [ima.org.il]

  It was observed that opg-knockout mice (OPG -/-) develop early onset osteoporosis and arterial calcification (Bucay et al., 1998) and the restoration of the gene prevented osteoporosis progression and arterial calcification (Min et al., 2000). [intechopen.com]

• Contusion

  As in adults, acute lung injury (ALI) in children occurs as a consequence of various direct (e.g., infectious pneumonia, bronchiolitis, aspiration, traumatic lung contusion) or indirect (e.g., sepsis, shock, massive blood transfusion, non-pulmonary trauma [frontiersin.org]

• Epistaxis

  Summary Clinical description The disease manifests as mucocutaneous bleeding anomalies (menorrhagia, epistaxis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage etc. ). [orpha.net]

  Epistaxis 1. Three or more bleeding episodes in a six-month period that required treatment with VWD concentrates or red cell transfusions. [clinicaltrials.gov]

  Presentation This varies according to the extent of the deficiency: Bleeding tendency from mucosa - eg, epistaxis, menorrhagia (consider in women with no other obvious cause). [patient.info]

  […] quantitative reduction in von Willebrand factor (vWF) (90% of cases) 2. qualitative abnormality in vWF (9%) – 5 subtypes (DDAVP contraindicated in 2B) 3. similar to type 1 but a severe autosomal recessive form (1%) CLINICAL FEATURES Presentation asymptomatic epistaxis [lifeinthefastlane.com]

• Stroke

  MRI revealed a right paramedian pontine stroke. The relationship between vWD and stroke is discussed as well as the role of neck trauma in vertebral artery injury. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Serious adverse reactions seen with Feiba in all trials included hypersensitivity reactions and thromboembolic events (stroke, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis). Ms. [pharmacytimes.com]

  Abstract Favorites PDF Get Content & Permissions Buy The relationship between acute ischaemic stroke and plasma D-dimer levels in patients developing neither venous thromboembolism nor major intercurrent illness Kelly, James; Rudd, Anthony; Lewis, Roger [journals.lww.com]

  Blood pressure, stroke and coronary heart disease. Part 1. Prolonged differences in blood pressure: prospective observational studies corrected for regression dilution bias. Lancet. 1990; 335: 765-774 Lip G.Y.H. Li-Saw-Hee F.L. [internationaljournalofcardiology.com]

• Tingling

  Side effects that have been reported with VONVENDI include: nausea, vomiting, tingling or burning at infusion site, chest discomfort, dizziness, hot flashes, itching, high blood pressure, muscle twitching, unusual taste, blood clots and increased heart [vonvendi.com]

  RA usually first develops in the small joints of the ands including the wrists the knuckles.It can result in tingling numbness or burning. The Bionic gloves are perfect for golfers who suffer hand discomfort such as that caused by arthritis. [tobi-project.eu]

  DDAVP has relatively few side effects although some people may experience facial flushing, tingling sensations, and headaches after treatment with this medication. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

• Intracranial Hemorrhage

  Operative vaginal deliveries, in which there may be an increased risk of trauma to the newborn, should be avoided because of the potential risk of intracranial hemorrhage (15). [acog.org]

  hemorrhages Postnatal disorders associated with infantile spasms include the following: Pyridoxine dependency Inborn errors of metabolism such as nonketotic hyperglycinemia, maple syrup urine disease, phenylketonuria, biotinidase deficiency, lysosomal [emedicine.medscape.com]

• Vaginal Bleeding

  No serious bleeding episodes were noticed during delivery or postpartum period. Two healthy babies were delivered from the cases Nos. 2 and 3. It is acknowledged that vaginal bleeding is common during first trimester of pregnancy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  In type 3 VWD women, VWF and FVIII do not increase during pregnancy and thus VWF/FVIII concentrates may be required during pregnancy to control intermittent vaginal bleeding and at delivery or for Cesarean section. [haematologica.org]

• Dysmenorrhea

  The proband is a 37-year-old female who suffers from dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

The laboratory studies have revealed that there is a deficiency or a qualitative defect of vWF in patients with vWD. The levels of vWF vary with physiologic stress. The plasma levels of vWF may be normal intermittently in patients with vWD; hence repeating the tests after more than 2 weeks becomes important in order to confirm abnormal results. Tests for vWD must be avoided during pregnancy, infections or strenuous exercise as the results may not be correct.

• Screening tests: Prothrombin time (PT), FVIII coagulant activity, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), are some of the important tests that must be performed to confirm vWD.
• Ristocetin cofactor (RCoF) activity: This test is an excellent tool to evaluate vWF function. In the test, ristocetin is added to the suspension of the washed formalin fixed platelets in the presence of patient’s plasma. Following this, the rate of aggregation is measured with the help of aggregometer.
• ABO-Blood groups and its impact: There exists the importance of blood group determination in patients with vWD. Individuals with O-blood group have around 50-75% of vWF levels as found in patients with other blood types.
• PT and aPTT: aPTT is mildly prolonged in half-of the patients with vWD. Low levels of FVIII cause this prolongation as one of the important functions of vWF is preventing the degradation of FVIII [7] [8].

Treatment options for patients with vWD are as follows:

• Use of Desmopressin (DDAVP)
• Transfusion therapy: The transfusion therapy is beneficial in patients with vWD where the disease is refractory to the other therapies. The fresh frozen plasma has functional vWF, but must be avoided due to possible transmission of the viral disease common with such transfusion. 
• Prophylaxis in major surgery/serious bleeding episodes: In such situations, vWF containing FVIII concentrates are beneficial. 
• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the levels of vWF increase in most of the patients with vWD. In functionally normal vWF, the labor and delivery usually proceed normally; however, in patients with type II disease may have an increased chance of hemorrhagic problems. Hence, all patients must be monitored closely during pregnancy [9].

Though bleeding in most of the patient with vWD is manageable; there can be significant variability in the symptoms even among the family members. Patients with type II and type III vWD, the episodes of bleeding may be severe and life-threatening. Individuals with low levels of FVIII may also develop anthropathies [5].

Complications

• Iron deficiency anemia is common among women who experience heavy bleeding.
• Swelling and severe pain occurs when the bleeding occurs in the joints. 
• Death may also result in some cases due to abnormal bleeding, which cannot be controlled [6].

vWD is an inherited disease due to the mutation of genes, except, for the rare acquired form which is caused by the antibodies to vWF. There are three categories of vWD:

1. Type I is also called partial quantitative deficiency.
2. Type II or qualitative deficiency: This type of disease is further categorized based on the characteristics of functional vWF: II (A, B, N, M).
3. Type III also called total deficiency [2] [3].

The estimates suggest that clinically significant vWD is seen in 125 persons per million populations. Only about 0.5-5 persons per million populations are affected by the severe form of the disease.

Though both males and females have equal probability of having this disease, the phenotypic visibility is more among women owing to the menorrhagia. Since vWD is an inherited condition, the symptoms related to bleeding can occur even at a young age. Recent reports suggest that there is a decrease in the bleeding tendency as the patient age [4].

Chromosome 12 contains the vWF gene, which is located near the tip of the short arm of the said chromosome. This gene has 52 exons, similar to the size to FVIII gene. The expression of this gene is not allowed in the megakaryocytes, and endothelial cells. It is interesting to note here that there exists a pseudogene (partial, nonfunctional duplication of the gene 12) on chromosome 22.

• vWD type I: This type of disease is caused by quantitative deficiency (mild/moderate) of vWF.(less by 20-50% of normal levels).
• vWD type II: When the disease occurs due to the qualitative abnormalities of vWF, it is categorized as the type II vWD. The most common abnormality is the selective loss of large or medium sized multimers.
• vWD type III: When the patient inherits a mutant vWF gene from both the parents, this rare type of vWD is seen. In this type of vWD there is a severe deficiency of the plasma or platelet vWF, thus causing profound bleeding disorder. This type of disease is very rare (1 in every one-million persons) [3].

Patients with known vWD must be wary of the physical activity which increases their chances of hemorrhage. Use of aspirin-containing compounds must be avoided [10].

Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a hemorrhagic disorder. The disease is genetically inherited and is clinically heterogeneous in nature. vWD is caused by the deficiency or the dysfunction of a glycoprotein, von Willebrand factor (vWF). vWF is a large glycoprotein which is released from the storage granules located in platelets and endothelial cells in response to the stimuli. The interaction between defective protein and platelets and vessel wall causes primary hemostatis.

The primary functions of the protein are as follows:

1. To facilitate the adhesion of the platelets at the site of injury.
2. To stabilize FVIII present in the coagulation cascade [1].

Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is the most common genetic coagulation disorder caused by missing or defective von Willebrand factor (VWF), a clotting protein.

Patients must be informed about their condition so that they can avoid any situation that can aggravate their coagulation disorder. Patients are advised to avoid drugs containing aspirin. When undergoing any surgery or dental procedures, the patient must seek the opinion of a hematologist.

1. Keeney S, Bowen D, Cumming A, et al. The molecular analysis of von Willebrand disease: a guideline from the UK Haemophilia Centre Doctors’ Organization Haemophilia Genetics Laboratory Network. Haemophilia. 2008;14:1099-1111.
2. Udvardy ML, Szekeres-Csiki K, Hársfalvi J. Novel evaluation method for densitometric curves of von Willebrand factor multimers and a new parameter (M(MW)) to describe the degree of multimersation.Thromb Haemost. Aug 2009;102(2):412-7.
3. Sutherland MS, Cumming AM, Bowman M, et al. A novel deletion mutation is recurrent in von Willebrand disease types 1 and 3. Blood. Jul 30 2009;114(5):1091-8.
4. Byams VR, Kouides PA, Kulkarni R, et al. Surveillance of female patients with inherited bleeding disorders in United States Haemophilia Treatment Centres. Haemophilia. Jul 2011;17 Suppl 1:6-13
5. Sadler JE, Budde U, Eikenboom JC, et al. Update on the pathophysiology and classification of von Willebrand disease: a report of the Subcommittee on von Willebrand Factor. J Thromb Haemost. 2006;4:2103-2114.
6. Gallinaro L, Cattini MG, Sztukowska M, et al. A shorter von Willebrand factor survival in O blood group subjects explains how ABO determinants influence plasma von Willebrand factor. Blood. 2008;111:3540-3545.
7. Nichols WL, Hultin MB, James AH, et al, and the NHLBI von Willebrand Disease Expert Panel. The Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management of von Willebrand Disease. Bethesda, Md: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. NIH publication no. 08-5832. December 2007.
8. Rodeghiero F, Castaman G, Tosetto A. How I treat von Willebrand disease. Blood. Aug 6 2009;114(6):1158-65.
9. Franchini M, Targher G, Montagnana M, Lippi G. Antithrombotic prophylaxis in patients with von Willebrand disease undergoing major surgery: when is it necessary?. J Thromb Thrombolysis. Aug 2009;28(2):215-9.
10. Cumming AM, Bowman M, et al. A novel deletion mutation is recurrent in von Willebrand disease types 1 and 3. Blood. Jul 30 2009;114(5):1091-8