Background: The effect of exercise on von Willebrand factor (VWF) and ADAMTS-13 levels in individuals with von Willebrand disease (VWD) has never been reported.
Objectives: The aim was to quantify the effect of a standardized exercise protocol on individuals with type 1 and type 2B VWD.
Patients/methods: Thirty individuals from three groups (10 controls, 11 with type 1 VWD and 9 with type 2B VWD) completed the Standard Bruce Protocol Treadmill Test. A bleeding questionnaire was administered and blood tests were performed pre- and immediately postexercise. The groups were well matched for age, gender and body mass index (BMI).
Results: There was a correlation in all groups between the metabolic equivalents (METS) achieved and the degree of change of VWF and FVIII:C levels (P < 0.002, Pearson's correlation). There was a significant postexercise increase in VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo, FVIII:C and activated VWF levels in both the control group and in the type 2B VWD group, but not in the type 1 VWD group. Specific to the type 2B VWD group was an increase in the percentage of high molecular weight multimers (P = 0.022), a decrease in the mean platelet count compared with the other groups (P < 0.001) and an increase in the ADAMTS-13 level (P = 0.001).
Conclusions: There are significant differences in the effects of exercise on individuals with type 1 and type 2B VWD compared with controls. Further clinical studies are necessary to evaluate exercise as a therapeutic option in VWD.