Clinical Management of Hereditary Hemochromatosis: Phlebotomy vs. Erythrocytoapheresis

Clinical Management of Hereditary Hemochromatosis: Phlebotomy vs. Erythrocytoapheresis

The purpose of study is to determine the best and durable choice of treatment between phlebotomy and eritrocytoapheresis in the medium- and long-term clinical management of HH

Patients affected by Hereditary hemochromatosis need a completeinitial staging of disease, a correct clinical management, a good chance of treatment and long-term follow-up. Clinical manifestations at presentation and during follow-up may consistently vary according to diagnostic criteria, treatment options and follow-up durability, up to the interruption. So, 25 caucasian patients, 16 males and 6 females of age >18 yrs. have been consecutively diagnosed and randomly included into two arms of treatment, phlebotomy vs. eritrocytoapheresis, evaluating, at baseline and 6-12-18-24-36 months, the clinical status concerning liver, kidney, pancreas, heart, endocrine iron overload and function and final outcome related to therapeutic strategy, including the cost/effectiveness analysis

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patiens newly diagnosed having Hereditary Hemochromatosis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18 yrs.
• Not obese (BMI <30)
• Not consuming alchol beverages,
• Not affected by systemic diseases and known hepatic viruses