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Natural history of the C282Y homozygote for the hemochromatosis gene (HFE) with a normal serum ferritin level

2003; Elsevier BV; Volume: 1; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1053/s1542-3565(03)00187-3

1542-7714

Cory Yamashita, Paul C. Adams,

Trace Elements in Health

The discovery of a genetic test for hereditary hemochromatosis has identified many individuals who are homozygous for the C282Y mutation of the HFE gene with a normal transferrin saturation and serum ferritin level. The long-term prognosis, rate of iron accumulation, and surveillance guidelines for these individuals are unknown.To determine the degree of iron accumulation over time, an updated serum ferritin level was obtained in patients initially identified as homozygous for the C282Y mutation with a normal serum ferritin level.Twenty-two asymptomatic untreated C282Y homozygotes with a normal serum ferritin level were identified, 10 through population screening, 9 through pedigree analysis, and 3 through a general medical work-up. There were 18 women (4 postmenopausal) and 4 men with a median age of 46 years, range 28-76 years. The median follow-up interval was 4 years, range 2-23 years. The serum ferritin levels of 20 of 22 patients remained below the upper limit of normal during the follow-up period. A decline in serum ferritin level was observed in 13 of 22 patients. Three patients had an increase in serum ferritin level of greater than 50%, with only 1 male patient exceeding the upper limit of normal by having a serum ferritin level increase from 295 to 344 microg/L during a 3-year period.In C282Y homozygotes with a normal ferritin level at the time of diagnosis, 20 of 22 patients failed to show any significant increase in serum ferritin level during a median follow-up of 4 years. This has clinical and economic implications for follow-up and surveillance of this selected population.