Arthropathy in juvenile hemochromatosis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether arthropathy is associated with juvenile hemochromatosis and, if so, to assess the relationship between this feature and other clinical features of the disease.


METHODS
Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic evidence of arthropathy was studied in 8 Greek patients with genetically proven juvenile hemochromatosis. Osteopenia and osteoporosis were assessed by bone mineral density measurement.


RESULTS
Seven of the 8 patients had articular manifestations. The main affected joint was the metacarpophalangeal joint, and the arthritis was progressive independent of phlebotomy therapy. Osteopenia was observed in 2 patients, and osteoporosis in 2 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Arthropathy may be present in patients with juvenile hemochromatosis, with features similar to those found in patients with hemochromatosis type 1.
Vaiopoulos
George
G
University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece. georgi@otenet.gr
Papanikolaou
George
G
Politou
Marianna
M
Jibreel
Iyad
I
Sakellaropoulos
Nikos
N
Loukopoulos
Dimitris
D
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D015519:Bone Density; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D005293:Ferritins