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Hemochromatosis and sexual dysfunction

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 15, pages 430–432 (2003)Cite this article

Hemochromatosis is the most common genetic autosomal recessive disorder among Caucasians. The prevalence of homozygocity is about 1 in 200–250 individuals. About one of eight individuals is heterozygous. It is assumed that half of the homozygous men and a quarter of the homozygous women have complaints and/or clinical signs of hemochromatosis. Recently, Beutler et al1 estimated that less than 1% of homozygotes develop frank clinical hemochromatosis. It is of course important to define what is meant by complaints and clinical signs: it makes a difference whether complaints solely are taken into account or whether also abnormal liver test results on routine examination are considered as features of iron overload.

The most common complaints and signs of the homozygous form of hemochromatosis are fatigue, arthralgia, abnormal liver test results, diabetes mellitus and disturbances of hormonal functions. Genetic hemochromatosis is considered responsible for sexual dysfunction in 10–40% of the homozygous men.1,2 From the history and examination of patients at our outpatients clinic, we have the impression that this problem is less frequent.

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References

  1. Beutler E et al. Penetrance of 845G → A (C282Y) HFE hereditary hemochromatosis mutation in the USA. Lancet 2002; 359: 211–218.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department, Medical Center, Heerlen, Limburg, The Netherlands

    C Van deursen

  2. Atrium, Medical Center, Heerlen, Limburg, The Netherlands

    K Delaere & J Tenkate

Authors
  1. C Van deursen
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  2. K Delaere
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  3. J Tenkate
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C Van deursen.

Appendix A: Questions for men with hemochromatosis

Appendix A: Questions for men with hemochromatosis

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Table 4
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Van deursen, C., Delaere, K. & Tenkate, J. Hemochromatosis and sexual dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 15, 430–432 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901019

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