[A case of hemochromatosis diagnosed in a middle-aged patient with diabetes mellitus].
The authors present the case of a 60-year-old patient admitted for diabetes mellitus. Primary (hereditary) hemochromatosis was diagnosed as the pathological background of diabetes as well as the associated symptoms (weight loss, arthrosis, erectile dysfunction, supraventricular arrhythmia, hepatic cirrhosis). To eliminate the accumulated excess iron, phlebotomy cycles were started. Family screening revealed two other affected patients who contrary to the index-patient were free of complaints. Phlebotomy was, however, started in one of these patients because of abnormal laboratory values consistent with iron-overload. For the prevention of the symptoms early diagnosis is important. Although some of the symptoms can disappear, the most severe changes (cirrhosis, diabetes) are irreversible. Latest knowledge about the pathophysiology including the genetic background and the practice of diagnosis and treatment of the disease are discussed as well.
Wagner
Róbert
R
Semmelweis Egyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, I. Belgyógyászati Klinika, Budapest. rwagner@t-online.hu
Tabák
Adám
A
Bálint
Zoltán
Z
Andrikovics
Hajnalka
H
Tordai
Attila
A
Demeter
Judit
J
D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D018962:Phlebotomy