Psychometric Validation of the Haemo-QOL-A in Participants with Hemophilia A Treated with Gene Therapy

PURPOSE: The hemophilia-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaire (Haemo-QOL-A) is validated for detecting QOL changes following standard therapy for hemophilia A, but has not been rigorously evaluated after gene therapy. This post hoc analysis evaluated the psychometric properties of Haemo-QOL-A in adult people with severe hemophilia A (PWSHA) receiving valoctocogene roxaparvovec (AAV5-hFVIII-SQ) in 2 clinical trials (phase 1/2, NCT02576795; phase 3, NCT03370913). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult PWSHA (factor VIII levels ≤1 IU/dL) received 1 AAV5-hFVIII-SQ infusion (6×10(13) vg/kg). Participants were assessed using the Haemo-QOL-A and the EuroQOL (EQ)-5D-5L and visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires pre- and post-infusion. Psychometric analyses included convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency, and reliability. Clinically important difference (CID) was estimated using 3-point change in EQ-5D-5L VAS as anchor. RESULTS: Haemo-QOL-A data were analyzed from 7 (phase 1/2, 3-year follow-up) and 16 participants (phase 3, 26-week analysis). Change in Haemo-QOL-A Total Scores correlated with EQ-5D-5L VAS score change at 26 weeks (Pearson’s correlation 0.77). At 26 weeks, increased Haemo-QOL-A Physical Functioning was associated with decreased EQ-5D-5L Pain and Discomfort and decreased Anxiety and Depression (Spearman’s Rank correlations −0.73 and −0.62, respectively, P <0.01). Internal consistency analysis showed good reliability for all domains (Cronbach’s alpha >0.7) except Treatment Concern (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.31). Anchor-based CID estimates were met for Haemo-QOL-A Total Score (≥5.5) and domain scores (≥6) for Consequences of Bleeding, Physical Functioning, Role Functioning, and Worry. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results suggest that the Haemo‐QOL‐A is a valid, reliable instrument for HRQOL assessment in PWSHA undergoing gene therapy. Future research should be undertaken to confirm these findings in a larger number of participants.