Haemochromatosis is a preventable genetic iron overload disorder. Untreated, it can shorten life due mainly to liver cirrhosis and cancer. It can be prevented by blood donation to maintain normal iron levels. It is unclear, however, whether treatment is necessary when individuals have moderate elevation of iron in the body. This research project will study the effects of treatment in this group by assessing a number of scans, questionnaires and blood tests in treated and untreated individuals.
Name: Erythrocytapheresis
Name: Plasmapheresis
Description: Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). The MFIS is a shortened version of the Fatigue Impact Scale. This 21-item scale can be self completed and measures the impact of fatigue on physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Each item is scored from 0 (never) to 4 (almost always) resulting in a score from 0-84. In addition, physical (0-36), cognitive (0-40) and psychosocial (0-8) subscale scores can be derived.
Measure: Fatigue Time: Clinically and statistically significant change in measures taken at baseline and at the end of treatment will be compared. Patients will have approximately 6 third weekly treatments however this will vary depending on initial SF.Description: Liver fibrosis will be assessed using Hepascore and Fibrometer (blood tests) and transient elastography (ultrasound).
Measure: Change in markers of liver fibrosis Time: Clinically and statistically significant change in measures taken at baseline and at the end of treatment will be compared. Patients will have on average 6 third weekly treatments (15 weeks).Description: Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form (SF36). As there are no specific quality of life tools available for HH, we will use this very widely used generic tool that has been used in a number of HH studies. This tool covers eight dimensions of health and wellbeing. One study found that individuals seen in a HH clinic and who had no clinical symptoms had significantly lower scores on a number of dimensions of the SF36 compared to population norms.
Measure: Quality of life Time: Clinically and statistically significant change in measures taken at baseline and at the end of treatment will be compared. Patients will have on average 6 third weekly treatments (15 weeks).Description: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a brief self-report measure designed to screen for anxiety symptoms and depression symptoms in a hospital setting. It is composed of two seven-item subscales, the Anxiety (HADS-A) and Depression (HADS-D) subscales, and a 14-item total scale (HADS-T). Participants use a four-point Likert-type scale to rate how they have felt in the past week. It has been found to be valid and reliable in various populations.
Measure: Depression and Anxiety Time: Clinically and statistically significant change in measures taken at baseline and at the end of treatment will be compared. Patients will have on average 6 third weekly treatments (15 weeks).Description: The presence and impact of arthritis will be measured by the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 short form. This is a 24 item validated scale that assesses the impact of arthritis on the individual over the past four weeks. We will also ascertain the use of arthritis medication at baseline and end of erythrocytapheresis/sham erythrocytapheresis.
Measure: Arthritis Time: Clinically and statistically significant change in measures taken at baseline and at the end of treatment will be compared. Patients will have on average 6 third weekly treatments (15 weeks).Description: To assess oxidative stress, we will measure F2-isoprostanes, a validated marker of cellular lipid oxidative damage, in urine and blood.
Measure: Markers of oxidative stress Time: Clinically and statistically significant change in measures taken at baseline and at the end of treatment will be compared. Patients will have on average 6 third weekly treatments (15 weeks).Allocation: Randomized
Single Group Assignment
There is one SNP
To assess oxidative stress, we will measure F2-isoprostanes, a validated marker of cellular lipid oxidative damage, in urine and blood.. Inclusion Criteria: 1. HFE C282Y homozygous. --- C282Y ---
Exclusion Criteria: 1. HH due to genotypes other than HFE C282Y homozygosity. --- C282Y ---
Inclusion Criteria: 1. HFE C282Y homozygous. --- C282Y ---