A patient with hemochromatosis may present with apparent osteoarthritis.
Features of the degenerative arthritis of hemochromatosis:
(1) onset of arthropathy at a relatively early age (<= 50 years of age)
(2) atypical joint involvement, including the metacarpophalangeal joints
(3) absence of markers for other causes of arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, other autoimmune disorders, gout, pseudogout)
(4) chondrocalcinosis and hemosiderin deposits in synovium
Joints affected may include:
(1) metacarpophalangeal
(2) wrist
(3) hips
(4) knees
(5) ankles
(6) feet
(7) shoulders
A patient with suspected hemochromatosis should have screening tests performed:
(1) fasting serum transferrin saturation
(2) serum ferritin concentration
A patient with sufficient evidence should have testing for genetic mutations.
Purpose: To evaluate a patient with arthropathy for evidence of hemochromatosis.
Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic, Immunology/Rheumatology
Objective: clinical diagnosis, including family history for genetics
ICD-10: M15-M19,