Irreversible Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Irreversible and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| General Clinical Considerations Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is frequently discovered only during management of associated illness or routine health evaluations. It has been estimated that only a small percentage of all affected persons are actually diagnosed. Individuals with HH may be symptomatic for several years prior to diagnosis and may have consulted multiple health care providers.Under-diagnosis of HH is thought to occur due to:• Lack of specificity of early signs and symptoms• Asymptomatic status of some patients until damage to organs and tissues has occurred• Confusion with liver disease due to other causes• Insufficient awareness and knowledge of HHEarly identification of persons with HH is essential to prevent serious and irreversible complications associated with severe iron overload. A classic triad of skin hyperpigmentation (bronzing), type 2 diabetes, and hepatic cirrhosis has long been recognized as evidence of advanced iron overload. However, persons with HH may present with a much wider variety of signs and symptoms, particularly if they are seen before significant iron accumulation has occurred. Age of presentation and disease severity are highly variable. A diagnosis of HH is based on laboratory evidence of iron overload, genetic mutations associated with HH, and presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with HH.(10) | View Page |
| Prognosis and Mortality The major determinant of prognosis in cases of hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is the degree of organ damage from iron overload at the point of diagnosis. The presence of liver cirrhosis reduces life expectancy. Damage that has occurred to tissues and organs is irreversible, but further damage can be halted with treatment. When there is no evidence of cirrhosis at time of diagnosis, life expectancy may be equal to that of persons without HH. With proper management of HH through treatment, affected individuals have good long-term outcomes. Hepatocellular carcinoma associated with cirrhosis, hepatic failure, and cardiac failure are the most common causes of death in persons with HH. Compared to the normal population, liver cancer is many times more prevalent as a cause of death in persons with HH. Cardiomyopathy, diabetes, and cirrhosis are all more common causes of death among persons with HH than among normal persons. The earlier HH is detected, before the onset of severe organ damage, the lower the risk of mortality. | View Page |