2. Introduction
โข โCeltic Curseโ- also known as โBronze diabetesโ
โข Hemochromatosis is the abnormal accumulation of
iron in parenchymal organs, such as the liver,
pancreas, and heart leading to organ toxicity.
โข Most common autosomal recessive genetic disorder
3. Epidemiology
โข Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) remains the most
common genetic disorder in Caucasians.
โข Women typically presented approximately 10 years
later than men
โข Female: male- 1 : 10
โข Population screening has shown prevalance of
heterozygotes is about 10 %.
โข Prevalence of HH in the USA is 1 in 200-500
individuals.
4.
5. Genetic basis
โข Principal HFE gene defect was first described in
1996,
โข Tightly linked to the HLA-A locus on chromosome
6p
โข G-to-a missense mutation ;
โข Cysteine tyrosine at 282 (C282Y)
โข C282Y homozygotes account for 80%-85%
โข Histidine aspartate at 63 (h63d)
โข Serine cysteine at 65 (s65c)
7. Pathophysiology
(1) Increased absorption of dietary iron in the
upper intestine,
(2) Decreased expression of the iron-regulatory
hormone hepcidin,
(3) Altered function of HFE protein,
(4) Tissue injury and fibrogenesis induced by iron.
10. Classification of iron overload syndromes cont.;
โข Secondary Iron Overload
โข Iron-loading anemia
โข Thalassemia major
โข Sideroblastic anemia
โข Chronic hemolytic anemia
โข Aplastic anemia
โข Parenteral iron overload
โข Red blood cell transfusions
โข Ironโdextran injections
โข Long-term hemodialysis
โข Chronic liver disease
โข Porphyria cutanea tarda
โข Hepatitis C
โข Hepatitis B
โข Alcoholic liver disease
โข Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
11. Itโs a spectrum of disease
โข Phenotypic expression only occurs in
approximately 70% of C282Y homozygotes,
โข Fewer than 10% of C282Y homozygotes will
develop severe iron overload accompanied by
organ damage and clinical manifestations of
hemochromatosis
12. EuropeanAssociationfor the Study of
Liver Diseases staging system
โข Stage 1 -genetic disorder +, no increase in iron stores
โโgenetic susceptibility.โโ
โข Stage 2- genetic disorder +, phenotypic evidence of iron
overload without tissue or organ damage.
โข Stage 3 genetic disorder +, with iron overload with tissue
and organ damage.
15. Hepatic manifestations
โข Liver is usually the first organ to be affected
โข Hepatomegaly in >95% of symptomatic
patients.
โข Portal hypertension and esophageal varices
occur less commonly than in cirrhotic.
โข Hepatocellular carcinoma develops in about
30% of patients with cirrhosis.
โข Incidence increases with age, common in men,
almost exclusively in cirrhotic patients
16. Skin
โข Skin pigmentation -characteristic metallic or slate-gray
hue.
โข Results from increased melanin and iron in the
dermis.
โข Pigmentation usually is generalized,
More pronounced on;
โข The face, neck,
โข Extensor aspects of the lower forearms,
โข Dorsa of the hands, lower legs,
โข Genital regions,
โข In scars.
17. Diabetes
โข Diabetes mellitus occurs in about 65%
โข More likely to develop in those with a family
history of diabetes,
โข Insulin resistance is more common in
association with hemochromatosis
18. Arthropathy
โข Arthropathy develops in 25โ50% of
symptomatic patients
โข Usually occurs after age 50.
โข 2nd and 3rd mcp joints, are usually the first
joints involved.
โข Calcium pyrophosphate (chondrocalcinosis or
pseudogout), mainly in the knee.
20. Cardiac involvement
โข Presenting manifestation in about 15%.
โข Most common manifestation is congestive heart
failure.
โข Cardiac arrhythmias ;
โข premature supraventricular beats,
โข Paroxysmal tachyarrhythmia's,
โข Atrial flutter,
โข Atrial fibrillation,
โข Varying degrees of AV block.
21. Hypogonadism
โขOccurs in both sexes.
โขImpairment of hypothalamic-pituitary
function by iron deposition
โข Loss of libido,
โข Impotence,
โข Amenorrhea,
โข Testicular atrophy,
โข Gynecomastia,
โข sparse body hair.
22. Screening for HH
โข High risk groups;
โข Family history of HH (1st degree)
โข Those with suspected organ involvement
โข Those with chance detection of biochemical and/or
radiological abnormalities
โข Optimal timing for screening family members is
between the ages of 18 and 30,
โข Generally recommended that all patients with
abnormal liver function have iron studies done at some
point
23. Diagnosis
1. Transferrin saturation โ
โข If transferrin saturation >45%
โข the presence of the C282Y or H63D mutation
confirm the diagnosis of hemochromatosis
2.Plasma ferritin โ normal 40 to 200 ng/ml
โข >200 mcg/L in premenopausal women
โข > 300 mcg/L in men and postmenopausal women
indicate primary iron overload
โข False +ve elevations related to inflammation.
โข In the absence of increased iron stores in patients
With necroinflammatory liver disease
โข Serum ferritin levels have an additional value as a predictor
of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in confirmed HH
24.
25. Liver biopsy
Liver biopsy should be considered;
โขFor the purpose of determining the
presence or absence of advanced fibrosis
or cirrhosis.
โขScreening for hcc
โขFor measurement of HIC.
26. Treatment of Hemochromatosis
โข Phlebotomy remains the sole recommended treatment -
simple, inexpensive, and safe.
โข Each 500 mL of whole blood removed contains 200 to 250 mg of iron.
Induction phase
โข One phlebotomy (500 mL) one to two per week.
โข Check hematocrit (Hct) prior to each phlebotomy;
โข do not allow Hct to fall by more than 20 percent of prior
level
โข Check serum ferritin every 10 to 12 phlebotomies
27. Maintenance phase
โข The phlebotomy should be performed every 2-4
months.
โข The interval between procedures is determined by
the level of ferritin, which should be 50 -
100mcg/ml.
โข Dietary adjustments are unnecessary.
โข Vitamin c supplements and iron supplements should be
avoided.
โข Check hematocrit/hemoglobin prior to each phlebotomy.
โข Allow hematocrit/hemoglobin to fall by no more than 20% of
prior level
28. Response to phlebotomy treatment in patients with HH
โข Improved survival if diagnosis and treatment before
Development of cirrhosis and diabetes
โข Improved sense of well-being, energy level
Cardiac function
Control of diabetes
โข Reduction of tissue iron stores to normal
Of portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis
In skin pigmentation
โข Reversal of hepatic fibrosis (in approximately 30% of cases)
โข No reversal of established cirrhosis or diabetes
Arthropathy
Testicular atrophy
โข Elimination of risk of hh-related HCC if iron removal is
Achieved before development of cirrhosis
29. ChelationTherapy
โข Treatment with iron chelation agents is recommended;
โข (heart disease, anemia, poor venous access)
โข Deferoxamine intravenously or subcutaneously
(25 to 40 mg/kg)
โข IV 8-10 hours 5 nights per week.
โข subcutaneous bolus injections B.d
โข Deferasirox (exjade) orally
โข 100 mg/kg administered once daily 5 times a week.
โข Very efficient in liver iron removal.
โข Less effective in the splenic & pancreatic iron.
โข Renal functions should be monitored.
30. โข We recommend that patients with abnormal
Iron studies should be evaluated as patients with
Hemochromatosis, even in the absence of symptoms.(A)
โข All patients with evidence of liver disease should be evaluated
for hemochromatosis. (1b)
AASLD Recommendations
31. โข In a patient with suggestive symptoms, physical findings,
or family history, a combination of TS and ferritin should
be obtained rather than relying on a single test. (1B) if
either is abnormal (TS 45% or ferritin above the upper
limit of normal), then HFE mutation analysis should be
performed. (1b)
โข We recommend screening (iron studies and hfe mutation
analysis) of first-degree relatives of patients with hfe-
related hh to detect early disease and prevent
complications. (1a)
32. โข Patients with hemochromatosis and iron overload should
undergo therapeutic phlebotomy weekly (as tolerated). (1a)
โข Target levels of phlebotomy should be a
Ferritin level of 50-100 lg/L. (1b)
โข Iron chelation with either deferoxamine mesylate or deferasirox
is recommended in iron overloaded patients with
dyserythropoietic syndromes or chronic hemolytic anemia. (1a)
33. References
๏ฑDiagnosis and Management of Hemochromatosis:
2011 Practice Guideline by the American Association
for the Study of Liver Diseases(AASLD).
๏ฑUpToDate 19.3 version