title: [Laboratory tests and therapeutic strategies for the porphyrias].
abstract: The porphyrias are a heterogeneous group of predominantly hereditary metabolic diseases resulting from a dysfunction of heme biosynthesis. Most of the porphyrias can manifest with a broad range of cutaneous symptoms on the sun-exposed areas of the body, whereas other variants reveal life-threatening acute neurological attacks. Further, mixed types of porphyrias exist. Besides the skin, other organs can be affected, such as the liver and the central nervous system. Therefore, interdisciplinary supervision of these patients is mandatory. In this review we will first present the clinical picture and diagnosis of the porphyrias, including the specific biochemical laboratory tests and a diagnostic algorithm. Thereafter, the current therapeutic concepts will be briefly addressed. Finally, we introduce the European Porphyria Initiative (EPI), an association of various European porphyria centers that is aiming at gathering the broad experience of internationally renowned porphyria experts for the development of European consensus guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of these metabolic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Afdeling Dermatologie, Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht, Maastricht, Niederlande.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poblete-Gutiérrez
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wiederholt
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Merk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frank
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003422:Critical Care; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006418:Heme / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D017119:Porphyria Cutanea Tarda / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D011164:Porphyrias / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D006418:Heme; D001120:Arginine; C048849:heme arginate