How long can someone live with hereditary hemochromatosis?
Cumulative survival was 76% at 10 years and 49% at 20 years. Life expectancy was reduced in patients who presented with cirrhosis or diabetes compared to patients who presented without these complications at the time of diagnosis.
Can hemochromatosis be misdiagnosed?
Sometimes people with hemochromatosis are misdiagnosed as having other disorders, including arthritis, diabetes, heart problems, liver/gallbladder disease, or various stomach disorders. Many people with hemochromatosis do not know they have it.
Can African Americans get hemochromatosis?
Conclusions: Penetrance-adjusted estimates indicate that ∼9 African Americans per 100,000 have a hemochromatosis phenotype and two common HFE mutations. Hemochromatosis-associated genotype frequencies varied 11.7-fold across regions.
What is Type 2 hereditary hemochromatosis?
Hemochromatosis type 2 is a disease in which too much iron builds up in the body. This is also called iron overload. Accumulation of iron in the organs is toxic and can cause organ damage. While many organs can be affected, iron overload is especially likely to affect the liver, heart, and pancreas.
Is hereditary hemochromatosis rare?
Type 1 hemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic disorders in the United States, affecting about 1 million people. It most often affects people of Northern European descent. The other types of hemochromatosis are considered rare and have been studied in only a small number of families worldwide.
Can hemochromatosis affect the eyes?
Ocular manifestations of hemochromatosis may cause visual changes such as diminished visual acuity due to pathological changes in the cornea and retina.
How common is hereditary hemochromatosis?
What is African iron overload?
African iron overload is a rare disorder characterized abnormally elevated levels of iron in the body. The name originates from the initial description of this entity in sub-Saharan Africa, in communities where affected individuals drink a traditional, homemade beer that contains a high amount of iron.
What causes Bantu Siderosis?
African iron overload, also called Bantu siderosis,240 affects up to 15% of adult males in rural societies. It was originally described in southern and central Africa. Iron overload was first attributed to consumption of food or, more significantly, large quantities of traditional beer prepared in iron pots or drums.
What is hereditary hemochromatosis HFE related?
Hereditary hemochromatosis (he-moe-kroe-muh-TOE-sis) causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat. Excess iron is stored in your organs, especially your liver, heart and pancreas. Too much iron can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as liver disease, heart problems and diabetes.
What happens if you have a family history of hemochromatosis?
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder that can cause severe liver disease and other health problems. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to prevent complications from the disorder. If you have a family health history of hemochromatosis, talk to your doctor about testing for hereditary hemochromatosis. What is hemochromatosis?
What kind of malignancies are associated with hereditary hemochromatosis?
Hereditary hemochromatosis is associated with malignancies, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma.
Is there a universal test for hereditary hemochromatosis?
Universal screening for hereditary hemochromatosis is not recommended, but testing should be performed in first-degree relatives of patients with classical HFE-related hemochromatosis, those with evidence of active liver disease, and patients with abnormal iron study results.
How is hemochromatosis treated in the United States?
Hemochromatosis is one of the few genetic diseases for which there is a relatively simple and effective therapy. The disease is treated by removing blood (known as phlebotomy) from the patient in order to lower the overall level of iron in the blood. Initially, the patient undergoes phlebotomy frequently to lower the level of iron.
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