Haemochromatosis – more common than anticipated

A stealth disease, otherwise known as Haemochromatosis, causes the body to absorb too much iron from food.

This is linked to a faulty gene passed from both parents to their child and can lead to serious complications if left untreated, such as liver failure, diabetes and severe arthritis.

Research carried out at Exeter University has suggested that the condition could affect up to 20 times more people than earlier figures suggested. Prior to this research, it was thought to seriously affect about one in 100 carriers, however the new research has suggested that the true level could be closer to one in 10 among women and one in five for men.

Lead researcher Prof David Melzer has said that hemochromatosis is easy to treat if caught early enough but difficult to spot. The UK National Screening Committee said it will be “look at the evidence to screen for haemochromatosis in 2019/20, as part of its routine three yearly review.”

Researchers compared levels of illness and death among those with and without the gene mutations over an average of seven years. 2,890 people were analysed from the UK Biobank who had mutations, aged between 40 and 70.

Kate Smith, Solicitor in the Medical Negligence team at Ashtons Legal, comments: “This research highlights the importance of the link between academic research and clinical practice. The findings of the research as well as any future studies carried out as a result, could have a real clinical benefit by helping clinicians find people earlier, provide earlier treatment and therefore acting before any significant damage has been caused. Hopefully this will also allow the patient to have a better understanding of the disease and the symptoms it causes.”