Tech #787: Hemophilia Joint Health Score Toolkit (HJHS)

The Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) is a validated joint assessment tool developed through the International Prophylaxis Study Group to standardize the detection of early joint disease in persons with hemophilia. Validated for both paediatric (2006) and adult (2017) populations and available in multiple languages, it is now the globally recognized standard for joint evaluation across the lifespan.

Technology Reference Number

#787

Inventors

Brian Feldman, The Hospital for Sick Children

IP&C Contact

Karin Aguilar, Business Development Associate

Therapeutic Area

Hemophilia/Haemophilia

Category

Health Outcome Measure

Keywords

Hemophilia, Joint health assessment, HJHS, Joint disease detection, Validated clinical tool, Standardized joint evaluation, Musculoskeletal outcomes, International Prophylaxis Study Group (IPSG)

Invention Description

Initial development of the Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) began in 2002, by experienced physiotherapists and physicians from Denver, Montreal, Stockholm, Toronto, and Utrecht through the International Prophylaxis Study Group (IPSG).  The goal of this collaborative initiative was to develop a single unified scale to standardize the methods and tools used for joint evaluation in persons with hemophilia.

The strengths and weaknesses of three existing scoring systems—the WFH Orthopaedic Joint Score (Gilbert Scale), the Colorado Young Child Scale, and the Stockholm Scale—were identified and used to develop the unified Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS).

The HJHS was originally developed to improve the detection of early signs of joint disease in children.  It was validated for use in the paediatric population in 2006, and later validated for use in the adult population in 2017. It is currently globally recognized as the standard joint evaluation tool for use across the life span of persons with hemophilia.

Advantages

  • Valid joint assessment tool with high internal reliability in the hemophilia population
  • Used widely in research and clinical trials
  • Validated for both youth and adults (Ages > 4 yrs.)
  • Available in multiple languages

Additional Information

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