Early-onset hemochromatic arthropathy in a patient with idiopathic hypermobility syndrome

Abstract

Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease related to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) A3, B7, and B14 histocompatability antigens resulting in increased iron absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and deposition of iron in tissues. Arthropathy is not uncommon in the late stage of disease. Characteristic radiologic findings are commonly observed in the wrists and metacarpophalangeal joints as well as the hips, knees, and ankle joints. Presented here is a 34-year-old male with hemochromatosis and bilateral shoulder, knee, and ankle pain. Radiologic examination revealed osteoarthritic findings in both ankle joints and chondrocalcinosis in the knee joints. All the major criteria of hypermobility syndrome were observed on physical examination. The early-onset arthropathy seen with this hemochromatosis is thought to result from hypermobility syndrome.