Impact of COVID‑19 Home‑Confinement and Hypomotility in Haemophilic Arthropathy

Objective: COVID‑19 home‑confinement substantially reduced daily mobility and exposure to trauma, a key factor in the progression of haemophilic arthropathy (HA). However, prolonged sedentary behaviour may conversely worsen joint function and psychological well‑being. This study investigates how these opposing effects influenced the severity of HA and psychological well‑being of individuals with haemophilia.

Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted on 48 patients, recruited from our regional association of haemophiliacs, immediately after the period of social distancing related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed multiple‑choice questions exploring how the pandemic affected their physical and mental well‑being and treatment choices. 

Results: During the 3‑month lockdown, hypomobility produced measurable effects in the 48 participants. While age, baseline HA severity and conservative therapy showed no significant changes (p>0.05), sedentariness was associated with a significant reduction in joint mobility and an increase in low back pain (p<0.002). Individuals who maintained regular physical activity (39.6%) showed better ROM and less joint pain than the sedentary group. Approximately 10% remained asymptomatic, corresponding to subjects who continued regular physical activity throughout lockdown. Lower‑limb target joints were the most frequently involved (85%), both before (78%) and after lockdown (85%). Among conservative treatments, local ice application was the only conservative option associated with significant pain relief, whereas NSAIDs, topical agents and “wait‑and‑see” approaches did not show comparable benefit. Psychological analysis revealed a significant increase in negative mood during lockdown (p=0.009), with negative mood rising from 27% to 50% after home‑confinement.

Conclusions: The results confirmed the negative effects of sedentariness on psychological status, joint mobility, and low back pain. The most effective therapeutic option for pain and edema was the local application of ice, compared to medication.