Abstract |
Hepatic porphyria is a rare metabolic syndrome caused by abnormal enzyme activity in heme biosynthesis. Between 1974 and 1991; 105 patients have met criteria for diagnosis of hepatic porphyria based on typical clinical findings and/or laboratory abnormalities. According to type, 42% had porphyria cutanea tarda, 21% porphyria variegate, 15% protoporphyria, 6.7% acute intermittent porphyria, 6.7% coproporphyria and 1.9% porphyria due to porphobilinogen deficit. A proper classification was not established in 6.7% of patients. Porphyria cutanea tarda was more common in males (70%) and porphyria variegata, in females (90%). A family history of the disease was present in 33% of patients; 20% of patients were of European descent and 4% of Mapuche descent. Diagnosis was usually established in the third decade, somewhat later in porphyria cutanea tarda (45 years of age) and very early in protoporphyria. 10% of patients were asymptomatic and 29 patients developed at least one porphyric crisis. These were related to pregnancy in 6 patients, to hormone administration in 7, to antibiotics in 5. No cause was established in 21 cases. Severe crisis were successfully treated with Hematin. Venipuncture was used to treat 50% of patients with porphyria cutanea tarda with 95% success. Thus, hepatic porphyria is recognized with increasing frequency and can be treated successfully in most cases.
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Authors | R Armas, C Wolff, P Krause, P Chaná, A Parraguez, J Soto |
Journal | Revista medica de Chile
(Rev Med Chil)
Vol. 120
Issue 3
Pg. 259-66
(Mar 1992)
ISSN: 0034-9887 [Print] Chile |
Vernacular Title | Las porfirias hepáticas: experiencia con 105 casos. |
PMID | 1342477
(Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Child
- Chile
(epidemiology)
- Female
- Heme
(metabolism)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Porphyrias, Hepatic
(classification, epidemiology, metabolism, therapy)
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications
(epidemiology)
- Retrospective Studies
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