Hereditary haemochromatosis in Denmark 1950-1985. Clinical, biochemical and histological features in 179 patients and 13 preclinical cases.

During the period 1950-1985, a total of 179 cases of clinically overt hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) were registered in Denmark, 140 males and 39 females. Median age at diagnosis was 55 years (range 29-81). Diagnostic approaches, symptoms and physical signs at discovery are described. All patients had grade 3-4 liver haemosiderin iron, and cirrhosis was present in 84%. Serum (S-) transaminase was elevated in 92%, S-alkaline phosphatase in 47% and S-bilirubin in 23%, while plasma prothrombin time was below normal in 34%. Females had higher alkaline phosphatase than males (p less than 0.05). Bone marrow haemosiderin iron (n = 81) showed no relation to iron status indicators and was unsuitable as a diagnostic tool. Skin biopsy (n = 56) was positive for haemosiderin iron in 67% and for melanin in 57%, but was of limited value in the assessment of HH. Arthropathy was registered in 44%; arthralgias and clinical joint abnormalities occurred more frequently in females than in males (p less than 0.05). Latent diabetes mellitus was found in 34% and overt diabetes in 55%, being more frequent in males than in females (p less than 0.05). Other endocrine abnormalities were seen in 66%. Cardiac failure was observed in 9% and abnormal ECG in 35%. Males had higher haemoglobin (p less than 0.0001) and S-iron (p less than 0.01) than females, while S-transferrin, transferrin saturation, S-ferritin and mobilizable iron stores showed no significant sex differences. Median transferrin saturation was 87% (range 52-100); values greater than 62% were observed in 96% of the patients. Median S-ferritin was 3,400 micrograms/l (800-12,700) and median iron stores 14.8 g (4.5-36.4).