Movement Disorders in Hereditary Hemochromatosis: Case Series

Abstract

Introduction: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of iron metabolism involving pathological iron deposition in a variety of organs. Movement disorders have been increasingly reported in genetic storage disorders. HH and movement disorders have been sparingly reported. Cellular accumulation of iron is thought to induce lipid peroxydation and results in cell damage and death. Our objective is to review the existing literature about the association of HH and movement disorders. Methods: Extensive review of literature search revealed 13 cases with association of movement disorders in HH. Results: The average age of HH diagnosis is 58 years. The mean age of the beginning of neurological symptoms is 57 years. Conclusion: HH may be clinically asymptomatic, and thus its association with movement disorders is probably underdiagnosed, as illustrated in our small series in which HH was mostly disclosed by routine biochemistry tests. Hence, simple blood analysis, such as serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation levels, should be investigated in any patient with a movement disorder, intellectual deterioration, or both. Phlebotomy is the mainstay of treatment and helps with the other symptoms; its unknown if it can help change the course of neurological disease progression. Therefore, novel treatment methods need to be figured for treating these symptoms. Further studies determining the prevalence of movement disorders in genetically confirmed, iron overloaded HH individuals would clarify association between these 2 conditions. If association becomes apparent between HH and movement disorders, HH should be considered in the evaluation/differential diagnosis of movement disorders patients.Table 1: Movement Disorders and Hereditary Hemochromatosis(HH): Review of Literature