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Adams PC, Richard L, Weir M, Speechley M. Survival and development of health conditions after iron depletion therapy in C282Y-linked hemochromatosis patients. CANADIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2021; 4:381-390. [PMID: 35989887 PMCID: PMC9235120 DOI: 10.3138/canlivj-2021-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We report long-term survival and development of selected health conditions in Ontario-based referred and screened C282Y homozygotes for hemochromatosis treated by phlebotomy compared with an untreated control group known to be without HFE mutations. METHODS Patient characteristics and outcomes (all-cause mortality, liver cancer, diabetes, cirrhosis, hip or knee joint replacement, and osteoarthritis) were ascertained using a linked health administrative database held at ICES. Outcomes were assessed between groups without the outcome at baseline using Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for age and sex. All C282Y homozygotes with elevated serum ferritin were treated by phlebotomy to reach serum ferritin of 50 µg/L. Our cohort included 527 C282Y homozygotes (311 men, 216 women, mean age 48 years) and 12,879 control participants (5,667 men and 7,212 women). RESULTS C282Y homozygotes had an increased risk of all-cause mortality (aHR 1.44 [1.19-1.75], p <0.001); hepatocellular carcinoma (aHR 8.30 [3.97-17.34], p <0.001); hip or knee joint replacement (aHR 3.06 [2.46-3.81], p <0.001); osteoarthritis (aHR 1.72 [1.47-2.01], p <0.001); and cirrhosis (aHR 3.87 [3.05-4.92], p <0.001). C282Y homozygotes did not have an increased risk for diagnosis of diabetes) (aHR 0.84 [0.67-1.07], p = 0.16) during follow-up (median 17.7 y). CONCLUSIONS C282Y homozygotes experience higher death and complication rates than individuals without HFE mutations, despite treatment by phlebotomy. Diabetes did not increase after phlebotomy therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C Adams
- Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Matthew Weir
- Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- ICES Western, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Speechley
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Olsson KS, Wålinder O, Jansson U, Wilbe M, Bondeson ML, Stattin EL, Raha-Chowdhury R, Williams R. Common founder effects of hereditary hemochromatosis, Wilson´s disease, the long QT syndrome and autosomal recessive deafness caused by two novel mutations in the WHRN and TMC1 genes. Hereditas 2017; 154:16. [PMID: 29270100 PMCID: PMC5735936 DOI: 10.1186/s41065-017-0052-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genealogy and molecular genetic studies of a Swedish river valley population resulted in a large pedigree, showing that the hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) HFE/p.C282Y mutation is inherited with other recessive disorders such as Wilson´s disease (WND), a rare recessive disorder of copper overload. The population also contain individuals with the Swedish long QT syndrome (LQTS1) founder mutation (KCNQ1/p.Y111C) which in homozygotes causes the Jervell & Lange Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) and hearing loss (HL). Aims of the study were to test whether the Swedish long QT founder mutation originated in an ancestral HFE family and if carriers had an increased risk for hemochromatosis (HH), a treatable disorder. We also aimed to identify the pathogenic mutation causing the hearing loss disorder segregating in the pedigree. Methods LQTS patients were asked about their ancestry and possible origin in a HH family. They were also offered a predictive testing for the HFE genotype. Church books were screened for families with hearing loss. One HH family had two members with hearing loss, who underwent molecular genetic analysis of the LQTS founder mutation, connexin 26 and thereafter exome sequencing. Another family with hearing loss in repeat generations was also analyzed for connexin 26 and underwent exome sequencing. Results Of nine LQTS patients studied, four carried a HFE mutation (two p.C282Y, two p.H63D), none was homozygous. Three LQTS patients confirmed origin in a female founder ( b 1694, identical to AJ b 1694, a HFE pedigree member from the Fax river. Her descent of 44 HH families, included also 29 families with hearing loss (HL) suggesting JLNS. Eleven LQTS probands confirmed origin in a second founder couple (b 1614/1605) in which the woman b 1605 was identical to a HFE pedigree member from the Fjällsjö river. In her descent there were not only 64 HH, six WND families, one JLNS, but also 48 hearing loss families. Most hearing loss was non syndromic and caused by founder effects of the late 16th century. One was of Swedish origin carrying the WHRN, c.1977delC, (p.S660Afs*30) mutation, the other was a TMC1(NM_138691),c.1814T>C,(p.L605P) mutation, possibly of Finnish origin. Conclusions Deep human HFE genealogies show HFE to be associated with other genetic disorders like Wilson´s disease, LQTS, JLNS, and autosomal recessive hearing loss. Two new homozygous HL mutations in WHRN/p.S660Afs*30 and TMC1/p.L605P were identified,none of them previously reported from Scandinavia. The rarity of JLNS was possibly caused by miscarriage or intrauterine death. Most hearing loss (81.7%) was seen after 1844 when first cousin marriages were permitted. However, only 10 (10.3%) came from 1st cousin unions and only 2 (2.0 %) was born out of wedlock. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s41065-017-0052-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Sigvard Olsson
- Section of Hematology and Coagulation, Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Göteborg, S 413 45 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Olof Wålinder
- Department of Medicine, Östersund Hospital, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Ulf Jansson
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sundsvall Hospital, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Maria Wilbe
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marie-Louise Bondeson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eva-Lena Stattin
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ruma Raha-Chowdhury
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Roger Williams
- Institute of Hepatology London, Foundation for Liver Research, London,SE5 9NT and Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King´s College London, London, UK
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Thorstensen K, Kvitland MA, Irgens WØ, Åsberg A, Borch-Iohnsen B, Moen T, Hveem K. Iron loading in HFE p.C282Y homozygotes found by population screening: relationships to HLA-type and T-lymphocyte subsets. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 2017; 77:477-485. [DOI: 10.1080/00365513.2017.1342136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ketil Thorstensen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, St. Olav Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Mona A. Kvitland
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, St. Olav Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Wenche Ø. Irgens
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, St. Olav Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Arne Åsberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, St. Olav Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Berit Borch-Iohnsen
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Torolf Moen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s and Women’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kristian Hveem
- HUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Barton JC, Acton RT. Diabetes in HFE Hemochromatosis. J Diabetes Res 2017; 2017:9826930. [PMID: 28331855 PMCID: PMC5346371 DOI: 10.1155/2017/9826930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes in whites of European descent with hemochromatosis was first attributed to pancreatic siderosis. Later observations revealed that the pathogenesis of diabetes in HFE hemochromatosis is multifactorial and its clinical manifestations are heterogeneous. Increased type 2 diabetes risk in HFE hemochromatosis is associated with one or more factors, including abnormal iron homeostasis and iron overload, decreased insulin secretion, cirrhosis, diabetes in first-degree relatives, increased body mass index, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. In p.C282Y homozygotes, serum ferritin, usually elevated at hemochromatosis diagnosis, largely reflects body iron stores but not diabetes risk. In persons with diabetes type 2 without hemochromatosis diagnoses, serum ferritin levels are higher than those of persons without diabetes, but most values are within the reference range. Phlebotomy therapy to achieve iron depletion does not improve diabetes control in all persons with HFE hemochromatosis. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes diagnosed today in whites of European descent with and without HFE hemochromatosis is similar. Routine iron phenotyping or HFE genotyping of patients with type 2 diabetes is not recommended. Herein, we review diabetes in HFE hemochromatosis and the role of iron in diabetes pathogenesis in whites of European descent with and without HFE hemochromatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C. Barton
- Southern Iron Disorders Center, Birmingham, AL 35209, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ronald T. Acton
- Southern Iron Disorders Center, Birmingham, AL 35209, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Barton JC, Barton JC, Adams PC, Acton RT. Undiagnosed diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in HFE C282Y homozygotes and HFE wild-type controls in the HEIRS Study. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2016; 4:e000278. [PMID: 28074138 PMCID: PMC5220276 DOI: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2016-000278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine prevalences and predictors of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (UDM) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in non-Hispanic whites with HFE p.C282Y homozygosity and controls without common HFE mutations identified in population screening. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We analyzed these observations in a postscreening examination: age; sex; body mass index; systolic/diastolic blood pressure; metacarpophalangeal joint hypertrophy; hepatomegaly; blood neutrophils; alanine and aspartate aminotransferase; elevated C reactive protein; transferrin saturation; serum ferritin; and Field Center. RESULTS There were 223 p.C282Y homozygotes and 449 controls without diagnosed diabetes (43.9% men). Mean age of p.C282Y homozygotes was 52±13 years (controls 57±14 years; p<0.0001). Mean transferrin saturation in p.C282Y homozygotes was 67±26% (controls 34±14%; p<0.0001). Mean serum ferritin in p.C282Y homozygotes was 607 pmol/L (95% CI 497 to 517; controls 274 pmol/L (247 to 301); p<0.0001). Overall prevalences of UDM (4.0% vs 4.2%) and IFG (23.8% vs 25.6%) did not differ significantly between p.C282Y homozygotes and wt/wt controls, respectively. In logistic regressions, male sex, body mass index, and alanine aminotransferase were significantly associated with UDM. ORs were 2.7 (1.2 to 2.8); 1.0 (1.0 to 1.1); and 1.0 (1.0 to 1.0), respectively. Age, male sex, and body mass index were significantly associated with IFG. ORs were 1.0 (1.0 to 1.1); 2.8 (1.9 to 4.2); and 1.0 (1.0 to 1.1), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Prevalences of UDM and IFG were similar in p.C282Y homozygotes and controls in a postpopulation screening examination. Male sex was the strongest predictor of UDM and IFG.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Barton
- Southern Iron Disorders Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Paul C Adams
- Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ronald T Acton
- Southern Iron Disorders Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Abstract
Haemochromatosis is now known to be an iron-storage disease with genetic heterogeneity but with a final common metabolic pathway resulting in inappropriately low production of the hormone hepcidin. This leads to increase in intestinal absorption and deposition of excessive amounts of iron in parenchymal cells which in turn results in eventual tissue damage and organ failure. A clinical enigma has been the variable clinical expression with some patients presenting with hepatic cirrhosis at a young age and others almost asymptomatic for life. Research is unravelling this puzzle by identifying environmental factors-especially alcohol consumption-and associated modifying genes that modulate phenotypic expression. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis but this can lead to presymptomatic therapy and a normal life expectancy. Venesection (phlebotomy) therapy remains the mainstay of therapy, but alternative therapies are the subject of current research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrie W Powell
- Centre for the Advancement of Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Rebecca C Seckington
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Yves Deugnier
- University Hospital and University of Rennes 1, Rennes, France
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Autoimmune Conditions in 235 Hemochromatosis Probands with HFE C282Y Homozygosity and Their First-Degree Relatives. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:453046. [PMID: 26504855 PMCID: PMC4609477 DOI: 10.1155/2015/453046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed a retrospective study of autoimmune conditions (ACs) in 235 hemochromatosis probands at diagnosis by analyzing age, sex, ACs, history of first-degree family members with ACs (FH), diabetes, heavy ethanol consumption, elevated serum ALT/AST, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, iron removed to achieve iron depletion (QFe), and positivity for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes A∗01, B∗08; A∗02, B∗44; A∗03, B∗07; A∗03, B∗14; and A∗29, B∗44. There were 138 men (58.7%). Median followup was 19.6 y. One or more of 19 ACs were diagnosed in each of 35 probands (14.9%). Prevalences of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis were 8.1% (95% CI: [5.1, 12.5]), 1.7% [0.6, 4.6], and 0.0085 [0.0015, 0.0337], respectively. Eighteen probands (7.7%) had a FH. Eight probands with ACs had 9 family members with ACs. In a logistic regression, ACs were less likely in men (odds ratio (OR) 0.3 [0.1, 0.6]) and more likely in probands with a FH (OR 4.1 [1.4, 11.8]). Overall ACs risk was not significantly associated with QFe or HLA haplotypes. Estimated survival of probands with and without ACs did not differ significantly. We conclude that ACs are common in hemochromatosis probands, especially women and probands with a FH.
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Abstract
In the last decades, a large number of epidemiological studies in gastroenterology and hepatology have originated from the Scandinavian countries. With the help of large health databases, with good validity and other registries related to patient outcomes, researchers from the Scandinavian countries have been able to make some very important contributions to the field. These countries, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland, have all universal access to health care and have shown to be ideal for epidemiological research. Population-based studies have been frequent and follow-up studies have been able to describe the temporal trends and changes in phenotypes. Our ability in Scandinavia to follow up defined groups of patients over time has been crucial to learn the natural history of many gastrointestinal and liver diseases and often in a population-based setting. Patient-related outcomes measures will probably gain increasing importance in the future, but Scandinavian gastroenterologists and surgeons are likely to have a better infrastructure for such endeavors compared to most other populations. Thus, there is a bright future for international competitive research within the field of gastrointestinal and liver diseases in Scandinavia.
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Costa M, Cruz E, Barton JC, Thorstensen K, Morais S, da Silva BM, Pinto JP, Vieira CP, Vieira J, Acton RT, Porto G. Effects of highly conserved major histocompatibility complex (MHC) extended haplotypes on iron and low CD8+ T lymphocyte phenotypes in HFE C282Y homozygous hemochromatosis patients from three geographically distant areas. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79990. [PMID: 24282517 PMCID: PMC3839968 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH) is a recessively inherited disorder of iron overload occurring commonly in subjects homozygous for the C282Y mutation in HFE gene localized on chromosome 6p21.3 in linkage disequilibrium with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A locus. Although its genetic homogeneity, the phenotypic expression is variable suggesting the presence of modifying factors. One such genetic factor, a SNP microhaplotype named A-A-T, was recently found to be associated with a more severe phenotype and also with low CD8+T-lymphocyte numbers. The present study aimed to test whether the predictive value of the A-A-T microhaplotype remained in other population settings. In this study of 304 HH patients from 3 geographically distant populations (Porto, Portugal 65; Alabama, USA 57; Nord-Trøndelag, Norway 182), the extended haplotypes involving A-A-T were studied in 608 chromosomes and the CD8+ T-lymphocyte numbers were determined in all subjects. Patients from Porto had a more severe phenotype than those from other settings. Patients with A-A-T seemed on average to have greater iron stores (p = 0.021), but significant differences were not confirmed in the 3 separate populations. Low CD8+ T-lymphocytes were associated with HLA-A*03-A-A-T in Porto and Alabama patients but not in the greater series from Nord-Trøndelag. Although A-A-T may signal a more severe iron phenotype, this study was unable to prove such an association in all population settings, precluding its use as a universal predictive marker of iron overload in HH. Interestingly, the association between A-A-T and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, which was confirmed in Porto and Alabama patients, was not observed in Nord-Trøndelag patients, showing that common HLA haplotypes like A*01–B*08 or A*03–B*07 segregating with HFE/C282Y in the three populations may carry different messages. These findings further strengthen the relevance of HH as a good disease model to search for novel candidate loci associated with the genetic transmission of CD8+ T-lymphocyte numbers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Costa
- Basic and Clinical Research on Iron Biology (BCRIB), Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Eugénia Cruz
- Basic and Clinical Research on Iron Biology (BCRIB), Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Clinical Hematology, Santo António Hospital – Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - James C. Barton
- Southern Iron Disorders Center and Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Ketil Thorstensen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, St. Olav Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sandra Morais
- Multidisciplinary Unit of Biomedical Investigation (UMIB), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Internal Medicine, Pedro Hispano Hospital, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Berta M. da Silva
- Multidisciplinary Unit of Biomedical Investigation (UMIB), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge P. Pinto
- Basic and Clinical Research on Iron Biology (BCRIB), Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina P. Vieira
- Evolutionary Systems Biology, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Vieira
- Molecular Evolution, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ronald T. Acton
- Southern Iron Disorders Center and Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Epidemiology and International Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Graça Porto
- Basic and Clinical Research on Iron Biology (BCRIB), Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Clinical Hematology, Santo António Hospital – Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Molecular Pathology and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Erythrocytapheresis compared with whole blood phlebotomy for the treatment of hereditary haemochromatosis. BLOOD TRANSFUSION = TRASFUSIONE DEL SANGUE 2013; 12 Suppl 1:s84-9. [PMID: 24333062 DOI: 10.2450/2013.0128-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hereditary haemochromatosis may result in severe organ damage which can be prevented by therapy. We studied the possible advantages and disadvantages of erythrocytapheresis as compared with phlebotomy in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a prospective, randomised, open-label study, patients with hereditary haemochromatosis were randomised to bi-weekly apheresis or weekly whole blood phlebotomy. Primary end-points were decrease in ferritin levels and transferrin saturation. Secondary endpoints were decrease in haemoglobin levels, discomfort during the therapeutic procedure, costs and technicians' working time. RESULTS Sixty-two patients were included. Thirty patients were randomised to apheresis and 32 to whole blood phlebotomy. Initially, ferritin levels declined more rapidly in the apheresis group, and the difference became statistically highly significant at 11 weeks; however, time to normalisation of ferritin level was equal in the two groups. We observed no significant differences in decline of transferrin saturation, haemoglobin levels or discomfort. The mean cumulative technician time consumption until the ferritin level reached 50 μg/L was longer in the apheresis group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The cumulative costs for materials until achievement of the desired ferritin levels were three-fold higher in the apheresis group. CONCLUSION Treatment of hereditary haemochromatosis with erythrocytapheresis instead of whole blood phlebotomy results in a more rapid initial decline in ferritin levels and a reduced number of procedures per patient, but not in earlier achievement of target ferritin level. The frequency of discomfort was equally low with the two methods. The costs and, probably, technician time consumption were higher in the apheresis group.
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Asberg A, Thorstensen K, Irgens WØ, Romundstad PR, Hveem K. Cancer risk in HFE C282Y homozygotes: results from the HUNT 2 study. Scand J Gastroenterol 2013; 48:189-95. [PMID: 23281741 DOI: 10.3109/00365521.2012.752028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In addition to hepatocellular cancer, HFE C282Y homozygotes are reported to have increased risk of colorectal cancer and breast cancer. This study was done to further explore the cancer risk in C282Y homozygotes. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied cancer incidence in 292 homozygotes and 62,568 others that participated in the HUNT 2 population screening in 1995-1997. Using Cox proportional hazard models, we estimated cancer hazard ratio as a function of C282Y homozygosity and several screening variables including serum transferrin saturation, alcohol consumption and daily smoking. RESULTS Cancer was diagnosed in 36 homozygotes, five of which had two cancer diagnoses. The overall cancer incidence was not increased in C282Y homozygotes (hazard ratio 1.10 [95% CI 0.60-2.03] in women and 0.94 [95% CI 0.53-1.66] in men). However, homozygous men had increased risk of colorectal cancer (hazard ratio 3.03 [95% CI 1.17-7.82], p = 0.022) and primary liver cancer (hazard ratio 54.0 [95% CI 2.68-1089], p = 0.009). The risk of breast cancer in homozygous women was not increased (hazard ratio 1.13 [95% CI 0.35-3.72]). Adjusted for other variables including C282Y homozygosity, very low and very high serum transferrin saturation were associated with increased overall cancer incidence. CONCLUSIONS C282Y homozygosity is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer and hepatocellular cancer in men. In the general population, individuals with a very low or a very high serum transferrin saturation may have increased cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Asberg
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
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Barton JC, Barton JC. Dupuytren's Contracture in Alabama HFE Hemochromatosis Probands. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS 2012; 5:67-75. [PMID: 22952417 PMCID: PMC3431974 DOI: 10.4137/cmamd.s9935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dupuytren's contracture (DC) and HFE hemochromatosis occur in some of the same at-risk populations and present with similar comorbid conditions. METHODS We estimated DC prevalence in two cohorts of white Alabama hemochromatosis probands (294 C282Y homozygotes, 67 C282Y/H63D compound heterozygotes) in a retrospective study. We performed logistic regressions on DC using the following independent variables: age, body mass index, heavy ethanol consumption, serum ferritin, elevated serum AST/ALT, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and diabetes. RESULTS One man and two women with C282Y homozygosity had DC (prevalence 1.02%; 95% CI 0.35%-2.96%). A man with C282Y/H63D had DC (prevalence 1.49%; 95% CI 0.26%-7.98%). DC occurred as an autosomal dominant trait in his kinship. In regression analyses, no single variable predicted DC. We observed no new DC cases after the diagnosis of hemochromatosis (mean follow-up 12.9 ± 7.5 years (1 SD), and 9.0 ± 5.1 years, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our prevalence estimates of DC in white Alabama hemochromatosis probands are similar to those found in the white US population cohorts. DC risk was unrelated to the variables we studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Barton
- Southern Iron Disorders Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Geissler C, Singh M. Iron, meat and health. Nutrients 2011; 3:283-316. [PMID: 22254098 PMCID: PMC3257743 DOI: 10.3390/nu3030283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2011] [Revised: 02/18/2011] [Accepted: 02/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This article is a summary of the publication "Iron and Health" by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) to the U.K. Government (2010), which reviews the dietary intake of iron and the impact of different dietary patterns on the nutritional and health status of the U.K. population. It concludes that several uncertainties make it difficult to determine dose-response relationships or to confidently characterize the risks associated with iron deficiency or excess. The publication makes several recommendations concerning iron intakes from food, including meat, and from supplements, as well as recommendations for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Geissler
- Nutritional Sciences Division, King’s College London and MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK
| | - Mamta Singh
- Department of Health, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, UK;
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Abstract
AbstractHemochromatosis is a common genetic disorder in which iron may progressively accumulate in the liver, heart, and other organs. The primary goal of therapy is iron depletion to normalize body iron stores and to prevent or decrease organ dysfunction. The primary therapy to normalize iron stores is phlebotomy. In this opinion article, we discuss the indications for and monitoring of phlebotomy therapy to achieve iron depletion, maintenance therapy, dietary and pharmacologic maneuvers that could reduce iron absorption, and the role of voluntary blood donation.
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Distante S. Genetic predisposition to iron overload: Prevalence and phenotypic expression of hemochromatosis‐associated HFE‐C282Y gene mutation. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 2009; 66:83-100. [PMID: 16537242 DOI: 10.1080/00365510500495616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S Distante
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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Hagve TA, Asberg A, Ulvik R, Borch-Iohnsen B, Thorstensen K. [Hemochromatosis--from an underdiagnosed curiosity to a common disease]. TIDSSKRIFT FOR DEN NORSKE LEGEFORENING 2009; 129:863-6. [PMID: 19415085 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.08.0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hemochromatosis is a common disease with a good prognosis, when diagnosed early and treated appropriately. The aim of this overview is to give updated information on hemochromatosis with special focus on biochemical features, diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS This article is based on our own experience and a review of available literature in various databases such as PubMed and Medline. RESULTS Hereditary hemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by iron overload due to increased intestinal iron uptake over many years. Hemochromatosis is often discovered through coincidental detection of high levels of transferrin and/or ferritin. The early symptoms are asthenia and joint pain. About 85 % of patients with hereditary hemochromatosis are homozygote for the C282Y mutation in the HFE: gene, but the majority of homozygotes remain asymptomatic. With ferritin levels > 500 microg/, both hereditary hemochromatosis and iron overload (of unknown cause) are treated with blood-letting. INTERPRETATION The pathogenesis is not fully elucidated but recent reports indicate that the protein hepcidin (produced in the liver) plays a key role in the development of hemochromatosis. Iron overload may also be secondary to other diseases such as thalassemia and other conditions requiring multiple long-term blood transfusions. The goal is to maintain ferritin values at approximately 20 - 50 microg/L.
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Crooks CJ, West J, Solaymani-Dodaran M, Card TR. The epidemiology of haemochromatosis: a population-based study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2009; 29:183-92. [PMID: 18945251 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03874.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The discovery of the HFE genotype has revolutionized the diagnosis of haemochromatosis, changing the associated mortality and morbidity. AIM To investigate the clinical significance of a diagnosis of haemochromatosis. METHODS In a cohort study, we identified 501 people with haemochromatosis and 4950 age- and gender-matched controls from the UK General Practice Research Database between 1987 and 2002. RESULTS The incidence of a diagnosis of haemochromatosis increased approximately 2-fold over the study period and was associated with a 2.2-fold increase in mortality [hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.6-3.0]. There was no increase in extra hepatic malignancy, but an absolute risk excess of liver cancer of 0.89% per year. Diabetes, impotence, osteoarthritis and crystal arthritis were associated with haemochromatosis with odds ratios of 5.4 (95% CI, 4.1-7.0), 2.7(95% CI, 1.8-4.0), 1.9(95% CI, 1.5-2.4) and 2.1(95% CI, 1.4-3.1) respectively. CONCLUSION Increasing numbers of people are being diagnosed with haemochromatosis, and the mortality associated with this disease remains high. However, people are living with considerably lower levels of morbidity than previously reported. This encouragingly suggests earlier diagnoses are being made, prior to the development of complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Crooks
- Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.
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McLaren GD, Gordeuk VR. Hereditary hemochromatosis: insights from the Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload Screening (HEIRS) Study. HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2009; 2009:195-206. [PMID: 20008199 PMCID: PMC3829617 DOI: 10.1182/asheducation-2009.1.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Hemochromatosis comprises a group of inherited disorders resulting from mutations of genes involved in regulating iron metabolism. The multicenter, multi-ethnic Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload Screening (HEIRS) Study screened approximately 100,000 participants in the US and Canada, testing for HFE mutations, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. As in other studies, HFE C282Y homozygosity was common in Caucasians but rare in other ethnic groups, and there was a marked heterogeneity of disease expression in C282Y homozygotes. Nevertheless, this genotype was often associated with elevations of serum ferritin and transferrin saturation and with iron stores of more than four grams in men but not in women. If liver biopsy was performed, in some cases because of evidence of hepatic dysfunction, fibrosis or cirrhosis was often found. Combined elevations of serum ferritin and transferrin saturation were observed in non-C282Y homozygotes of all ethnic groups, most prominently Asians, but not often with iron stores of more than four grams. Future studies to discover modifier genes that affect phenotypic expression in C282Y hemochromatosis should help identify patients who are at greatest risk of developing iron overload and who may benefit from continued monitoring of iron status to detect progressive iron loading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon D McLaren
- Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA.
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McLaren GD, McLaren CE, Adams PC, Barton JC, Reboussin DM, Gordeuk VR, Acton RT, Harris EL, Speechley MR, Sholinsky P, Dawkins FW, Snively BM, Vogt TM, Eckfeldt JH. Clinical manifestations of hemochromatosis in HFE C282Y homozygotes identified by screening. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY = JOURNAL CANADIEN DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2008; 22:923-30. [PMID: 19018338 PMCID: PMC2661195 DOI: 10.1155/2008/907356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2008] [Accepted: 07/31/2008] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with hemochromatosis may suffer organ damage from iron overload, often with serious clinical consequences. OBJECTIVE To assess prevalences of self-reported symptoms and clinical signs and conditions in persons homozygous for the hemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutation (C282Y) identified by screening. METHODS Participants were adults 25 years of age or older enrolled in the Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload Screening (HEIRS) Study. C282Y homozygotes (n=282) were compared with control participants without the HFE C282Y or H63D alleles (ie, wild type/wild type; n=364). RESULTS Previously diagnosed C282Y homozygotes and newly diagnosed homozygotes with elevated serum ferritin levels had higher prevalences of certain symptoms such as chronic fatigue (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.34 to 5.95, and OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.07 to 3.75, respectively), and had more hyperpigmentation on physical examination (OR 4.7; 95% CI 1.50 to 15.06, and OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.10 to 12.16, respectively) and swelling or tenderness of the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints (OR 4.2; 95% CI 1.37 to 13.03, and OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.17 to 9.49, respectively) than control subjects. Joint stiffness was also more common among newly diagnosed C282Y homozygotes with elevated serum ferritin than among control subjects (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.38 to 5.30). However, the sex- and age-adjusted prevalences of self-reported symptoms and signs of liver disease, heart disease, diabetes and most other major clinical manifestations of hemochromatosis were similar in C282Y homozygotes and control subjects. CONCLUSIONS Some symptoms and conditions associated with hemochromatosis were more prevalent among C282Y homozygotes identified by screening than among control subjects, but prevalences of most outcomes were similar in C282Y homozygotes and controls in this primary care-based study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon D McLaren
- Department of Veteran's Affairs Long Beach Healthcare Systems, Long Beach, California 90822, USA.
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Barton JC, Leiendecker-Foster C, Reboussin DM, Adams PC, Acton RT, Eckfeldt JH. Thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine levels in persons with HFE C282Y homozygosity, a common hemochromatosis genotype: the HEIRS study. Thyroid 2008; 18:831-8. [PMID: 18651828 PMCID: PMC2857452 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2008.0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relationships of thyroid and iron measures in large cohorts are unreported. We evaluated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (T4) in white participants of the primary care-based Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload Screening (HEIRS) Study. METHODS We measured serum TSH and free T4 in 176 HFE C282Y homozygotes without previous hemochromatosis diagnoses and in 312 controls without HFE C282Y or H63D who had normal serum iron measures and were matched to C282Y homozygotes for Field Center, age group, and initial screening date. We defined hypothyroidism as having TSH >5.00 mIU/L and free T4 <0.70 ng/dL, and hyperthyroidism as having TSH <0.400 mIU/L and free T4 >1.85 ng/dL. Multivariate analyses were performed using age, sex, Field Center, log(10) serum ferritin (SF), HFE genotype, log(10) TSH, and log(10) free T4. RESULTS Prevalences of hypothyroidism in C282Y homozygotes and controls were 1.7% and 1.3%, respectively, and of hyperthyroidism 0% and 1.0%, respectively. Corresponding prevalences did not differ significantly. Correlations of log(10) SF with log(10) free T4 were positive (p = 0.2368, C282Y homozygotes; p = 0.0492, controls). Independent predictors of log(10) free T4 were log(10) TSH (negative association) and age (positive association); positive predictors of log(10) SF were age, male sex, and C282Y homozygosity. Proportions of C282Y homozygotes and controls who took medications to supplement or suppress thyroid function did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS Prevalences of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are similar in C282Y homozygotes without previous hemochromatosis diagnoses and controls. In controls, there is a significant positive association of SF with free T4. We conclude that there is no rationale for routine measurement of TSH or free T4 levels in hemochromatosis or iron overload screening programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Barton
- Southern Iron Disorders Center, 2022 Brookwood Medical Center Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209, USA.
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Waalen J, Beutler E. Iron-overload-related disease in HFE hereditary hemochromatosis. N Engl J Med 2008; 358:2293-4; author reply 2294-5. [PMID: 18499578 DOI: 10.1056/nejmc080330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Abstract
Since the discovery of the haemochromatosis gene (HFE; chromosome 6p21.3) associated with haemochromatosis in 1996, many studies about diverse aspects of this common genetic disorder have been done. Some patients present with cirrhosis and show high mortality, whereas many asymptomatic homozygotes for the C282Y mutation in the haemochromatosis gene identified in population screening studies, who have been followed up for many years, do not develop iron overload. Studies described the usefulness of transferrin saturation and serum ferritin tests, and the acceptability of genetic testing for haemochromatosis. Phlebotomy therapy improves hepatic fibrosis. Here, we summarise some new findings in haemochromatosis, a disorder first described in 1865.
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Abstract
Because the penetrance of HFE hemochromatosis is low, traditional population screening measuring the transferrin saturation is unlikely to be cost-effective because the majority of subjects detected neither have clinical disease nor are likely to develop it. Three independent studies show that only patients with serum ferritin concentrations more than 1000 microg/L are at risk for cirrhosis, one of the main morbidities of hemochromatosis. Among 29,699 white subjects participating in the Scripps/Kaiser hemochromatosis study, only 59 had serum ferritin levels more than 1000 microg/L; 24 had homozygous mutant or compound heterozygous mutant HFE genotypes. In all but 5 of the other subjects, the causes of elevated ferritin were excessive alcohol intake, cancer, or liver disease. Screening for hemochromatosis with serum ferritin levels will detect the majority of patients who will be clinically affected and may detect other clinically significant disease in patients who do not have hemochromatosis genotypes. Because the ferritin level of the majority of adult homozygotes for HFE mutations does not rise over long periods of time, excluding subjects with serum ferritin levels less than or equal to 1000 microg/L should not result in missed opportunities for early treatment of patients who could benefit.
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Asberg A, Hveem K, Halvorsen TB, Smethurst HBG. Prevalence of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in screening-detected C282Y homozygous subjects. Scand J Gastroenterol 2007; 42:782-3. [PMID: 17506004 DOI: 10.1080/00365520601076058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Tavill AS, Adams PC. A diagnostic approach to hemochromatosis. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY = JOURNAL CANADIEN DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2006; 20:535-40. [PMID: 16955151 PMCID: PMC2659937 DOI: 10.1155/2006/934098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In the present clinical review, a diagnostic approach to hemochromatosis is discussed from the perspective of two clinicians with extensive experience in this area. The introduction of genetic testing and large-scale population screening studies have broadened our understanding of the clinical expression of disease and the utility of biochemical iron tests for the detection of disease and for the assessment of disease severity. Liver biopsy has become more of a prognostic test than a diagnostic test. The authors offer a stepwise, diagnostic algorithm based on current evidence-based data, that they regard as most cost-effective. An early diagnosis can lead to phlebotomy therapy to prevent the development of cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony S Tavill
- Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Paul C Adams
- University Hospital, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
- Correspondence: Dr Paul C Adams, University Hospital, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario N6A 5A5. Telephone 519-685-8500 ext 35375, fax 519-663-3549, e-mail
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Beutler E, Gelbart T. Helicobacter pylori infection and HFE hemochromatosis. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2006; 37:188-91. [PMID: 16996754 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2006.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2006] [Revised: 08/07/2006] [Accepted: 08/07/2006] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori infections are associated with iron deficiency, even in the absence of bleeding. To determine whether H. pylori infection plays a role in modifying the phenotype of patients homozygous for the c.845 G > A (C282Y) mutation of the HFE gene we studied 79 homozygous women and 76 homozygous men, comparing the pretreatment hemoglobin, MCV, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation of those who were seropositive and seronegative for H. pylori. No difference between seropositive and seronegative homozytoes was found. There was also no difference between seropositive and seronegative control subjects. We also compared the total iron of 56 of the male and 32 of the female homozygotes as determined by serial phlebotomy. No significant difference was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Beutler
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Newman B. Iron depletion by whole-blood donation harms menstruating females: The current whole-blood-collection paradigm needs to be changed. Transfusion 2006; 46:1667-81. [PMID: 17002622 DOI: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2006.00969.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Newman
- American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Region, Detroit, Michigan 48232, USA.
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Adams PC. Hemochromatosis case definition: out of focus? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 3:178-9. [PMID: 16582939 DOI: 10.1038/ncpgasthep0465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2005] [Accepted: 02/09/2006] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Abstract
Haemochromatosis is the most common genetic disease in populations of European ancestry. Despite estimates based on genetic testing in Caucasian populations of 1 in 227, many physicians consider haemochromatosis to be a rare disease. The diagnosis can be elusive because of the non-specific nature of the symptoms. Of all the symptoms, liver disease has the most consistent relationship to haemochromatosis and the prognosis of haemochromatosis is most closely linked to the degree of iron overload. With the discovery of the HFE gene in 1996, comes new insights into the pathogenesis of the disease and new diagnostic strategies. However, a growing number of new iron-related genes have been discovered and linked to other iron overload syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Adams
- Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
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Abstract
A number of genetic disorders can result in the accumulation of excess iron in the body. These causes of hereditary hemochromatosis include defects in genes encoding HFE, transferrin receptor 2, ferroportin, hepcidin, and hemojuvelin. Hepcidin, with its cognate receptor, ferroportin, has emerged as a central regulator of iron homeostasis; all of the known causes of hemochromatosis appear to prevent this system from functioning normally. The most common form of primary hemochromatosis is that caused by C282Y mutation of the HFE gene. This mutation is most prevalent among Northern Europeans. Although the frequency of the homozygous genotype is approximately 5 per 1000, the disease itself is quite rare because the clinical penetrance of the genotype is very low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Beutler
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
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Murray KF, Carithers RL. AASLD practice guidelines: Evaluation of the patient for liver transplantation. Hepatology 2005; 41:1407-32. [PMID: 15880505 DOI: 10.1002/hep.20704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 504] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karen F Murray
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195-6174, USA
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Abstract
Elucidation of the molecular pathways of iron transport through cells and its control is leading to an understanding of genetic iron loading conditions. The general phenotype of haemochromatosis is iron accumulation in liver parenchymal cells, a raised serum transferrin saturation and ferritin concentration. Four types have been identified: type 1 is the common form and is an autosomal recessive disorder of low penetrance strongly associated with mutations in the HFE gene on chromosome 6(p21.3); type 2 (juvenile haemochromatosis) is autosomal recessive, of high penetrance with causative mutations identified in the HFE2 gene on chromosome 1 (q21) and the HAMP gene on chromosome 19 (q13); type 3 is also autosomal recessive with mutations in the TfR2 gene on chromosome 3 (7q22); type 4 is an autosomal dominant condition with heterozygous mutations in the ferroportin 1 gene. In type 4, iron accumulates in both parenchymal and reticuloendothelial cells and the transferrin saturation may be normal. There are also inherited neurodegenerative conditions associated with iron accumulation. The current research challenges include understanding the central role of the HAMP gene (hepcidin) in controlling iron absorption and the reasons for the variable penetrance in HFE type 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Worwood
- Department of Haematology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 4XN, Wales, UK.
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Abstract
Haemochromatosis continues to be considered an uncommon disease despite large scale population screening studies demonstrating a high prevalence of C282Y homozygotes of approximately 1 in 200. Since many of the C282Y homozygotes that are discovered through screening are asymptomatic, or have non-specific symptoms commonly found in the ageing population, the attribution of any symptoms to haemochromatosis has become increasingly difficult. The demonstration of significant liver disease in family members is a strong reminder of the vital importance of pedigree studies when a typical haemochromatosis patient is identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C Adams
- Department of Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, Ontario, Canada.
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Andersen RV, Tybjaerg-Hansen A, Appleyard M, Birgens H, Nordestgaard BG. Hemochromatosis mutations in the general population: iron overload progression rate. Blood 2003; 103:2914-9. [PMID: 15070663 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2003-10-3564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The progression rate of iron overload in hereditary hemochromatosis in individuals in the general population is unknown. We therefore examined in the general population iron overload progression rate in C282Y homozygotes. Using a cohort study of the Danish general population, The Copenhagen City Heart Study, we genotyped 9174 individuals. The 23 C282Y homozygotes identified were matched to 2 subjects each of 5 other HFE genotypes with respect to sex, age, and alcohol consumption. As a function of biologic age, transferrin saturation increased from 50% to 70% from 25 to 85 years of age and from 70% to 80% from 35 to 80 years of age in female and male C282Y homozygotes, respectively. Equivalently, ferritin levels increased from 100 to 500 microg/L and decreased from 800 to 400 microg/L in female and male C282Y homozygotes. As a function of 25 years follow-up irrespective of age, transferrin saturation and ferritin levels increased slightly in male and female C282Y homozygotes. None of the C282Y homozygotes developed clinically overt hemochromatosis. In conclusion, individuals in the general population with C282Y homozygosity at most demonstrate modest increases in transferrin saturation and ferritin levels, and clinically overt hemochromatosis is rare. Therefore, C282Y homozygotes identified during population screening, and not because of clinically overt hemochromatosis, at most need to be screened for manifestations of hemochromatosis every 10 to 20 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolf Vaern Andersen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Affiliation(s)
- E Beutler
- Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
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Beutler E, Waalen J, Felitti V. Screening strategies in C282Y-linked haemochromatosis. Br J Haematol 2003; 120:1089-90. [PMID: 12648083 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2003.04208_1.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Abstract
AbstractIn the past seven years numerous genes that influence iron homeostasis have been discovered. Dr. Beutler provides a brief overview of these genes, genes that encode HFE, DMT-1, ferroportin, transferrin receptor 2, hephaestin, and hepcidin to lay the groundwork for a discussion of the various clinical forms of iron storage disease and how they differ from one another.In Section I, Dr. Beutler also discusses the types of hemochromatosis that exist as acquired and as hereditary forms. Acquired hemochromatosis occurs in patients with marrow failure, particularly when there is active ineffective erythropoiesis. Hereditary hemochromatosis is most commonly due to mutations in the HLA-linked HFE gene, and hemochromatosis clinically indistinguishable from HFE hemochromatosis is the consequence of mutations in three transferrin receptor-2 gene. A more severe, juvenile form of iron storage disease results from mutations of the gene encoding hepcidin or of a not-yet-identified gene on chromosome 1q. Autosomal dominant iron storage disease is a consequence of ferroportin mutations, and a polymorphism in the ferroportin gene appears to be involved in the African iron overload syndrome.Evidence regarding the biochemical and clinical penetrance of hemochromatosis due to mutations of the HFE gene is rapidly accumulating. These studies, emanating from several centers in Europe and the United States, all agree that the penetrance of hemochromatosis is much lower than had previously been thought. Probably only 1% of homozygotes develop clinical findings. The implications of these new findings for the management of hemochromatosis will be discussed.In Section II, Dr. Victor Hoffbrand discusses the management of iron storage disease by chelation therapy, treatment that is usually reserved for patients with secondary hemochromatosis such as occurs in the thalassemias and in patients with transfusion requirements due to myelodysplasia and other marrow failure states. Tissue iron can be estimated by determining serum ferritin levels, measuring liver iron, and by measuring cardiac iron using the MRI-T2* technique. The standard form of chelation therapy is the slow intravenous or subcutaneous infusion of desferoxamine. An orally active bidentate iron chelator, deferiprone, is now licensed in 25 countries for treatment of patients with thalassemia major. Possibly because of the ability of this compound to cross membranes, it appears to have superior cardioprotective properties. Agranulocytosis is the most serious complication of deferiprone therapy and occurs in about 1% of treated patients. Deferiprone and desferoxamine can be given together or on alternating schedules. A new orally active chelating agent ICL 670 seems promising in early clinical studies.In Section III, Dr. James Cook discusses the most common disorder of iron homeostasis, iron deficiency. He will compare some of the standard methods for identifying iron deficiency, the hemoglobin level, transferrin saturation, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin and compare these with some of the newer methods that have been introduced, specifically the percentage of hypochromic erythrocytes and reticulocyte hemoglobin content. The measurement of storage iron is achieved by measuring serum ferritin levels. The soluble transferrin receptor is a truncated form of the cellular transferrin receptor and the possible value of this measurement in the diagnosis of iron deficiency will be discussed. Until recently iron dextran was the only parental iron preparation available in the US. Sodium ferric gluconate, which has been used extensively in Europe for many years, is now available in the United States. It seems to have a distinct advantage over iron dextran in that anaphylactic reactions are much less common with the latter preparation.
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McCune A, Worwood M. Headache as a presenting symptom in hereditary hemachromatosis [corrected]. Ann Neurol 2003; 53:145; author reply 145-6. [PMID: 12509865 DOI: 10.1002/ana.10428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Abstract
We undertook a three-year screening program for mutations of the HFE gene among 41,000 subjects attending the Kaiser Permanente Health Appraisal Center in San Diego, California. Our results show that the C282Y and H63D mutations of the HFE gene associated with hemochromatosis have measurable and consistent effects on iron indicators and are associated with liver disorders, but have no measurable effect on other iron overload-related symptoms and life-expectancy. The very low clinical penetrance of the HFE mutations must be taken into account in calculating cost/benefit and risk/benefit ratios in screening for hemochromatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Waalen
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Lee P, Gelbart T, West C, Halloran C, Beutler E. Seeking candidate mutations that affect iron homeostasis. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2002; 29:471-87. [PMID: 12547238 DOI: 10.1006/bcmd.2002.0586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary hemochromatosis is characterized by marked variation of expression of the defect: very few homozygotes with the C282Y/C282Y HFE genotype have full-blown clinical disease, a larger number show biochemical stigmata of iron overload, and some seem normal biochemically. The following candidate genes have been examined in detail to determine whether polymorphisms in them may be responsible for this variation: transferrin, transferrin receptor 1, transferrin receptor 2, ferritin-L, ferritin-H, IRP1, IRP2, HFE, beta(2) microglobulin, mobilferrin/calreticulin, ceruloplasmin, ferroportin, NRAMP1, NRAMP2 (DMT1), haptoglobin, heme oxygenase-1, heme oxygenase-2, hepcidin, USF2, ZIRTL, duodenal cytochrome b ferric reductase (DCYTB), TNFalpha, keratin 8, and keratin 18. The coding sequence, exon-intron junctions, and promoters of each of these genes was sequenced in DNA from 20 subjects: 5 HFE C282Y/C282Y with clinical disease, 5 HFE C282Y/C282Y with normal/low ferritin levels and no disease, 5 wt/wt with high ferritin and transferrin saturation, and 5 wt/wt normal controls. When coding or promoter polymorphisms were encountered, DNA from large numbers of ethnically defined subjects was examined for these polymorphisms and a relationship between their existence and abnormalities of iron homeostasis was sought. Only in the case of one transferrin mutation did we find a strong relationship between the polymorphism and iron deficiency anemia. The putative genes that affect the expression of HFE mutations remain elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Lee
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, MEM215, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92014, USA.
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