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Hepatic iron excess was observed in 1.5% of African Americans during a recent autopsy series and in 10.4% of African Americans who underwent liver biopsy during medical care delivery. HHC patients can chronically absorb a small excess of iron each day, resulting in iron stores 10 times the normal amount by the time they are middle-aged. Consequently, the underlying cause may not be recognized and treated and organ damage may continue. Therefore, basic and continuing medical education about the disease is urgently needed.
The study documented that 83% of patients came to the attention of the medical staff as a result of routine blood screening. The degree of iron overload at the time of diagnosis, as well as organ dysfunction, have prognostic implications. When HHC is found early and properly managed, long-term prognosis, including life expectancy, should not differ from that of persons without the disorder. Deposition of iron within tissues causes inflammation and subsequent fibrosis and destruction of major organs leading to organ failure and chronic disease. HHC often goes undetected and untreated until symptoms of permanent organ damage become apparent.
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