Despite the high frequency of HFE gene mutations in Western Europe, widespread screening for HFE hemochromatosis is not recommended due to its variable phenotype. Joint pain and a premature osteoarthritis-like disease including the hip joints are the most frequent manifestation in patients with HFE hemochromatosis and iron overload. Therefore, screening of patients with severe osteoarthritis of the hip could identify patients with HFE hemochromatosis.
In this prospective cross-sectional study, 940 patients aged <70 years with end-stage osteoarthritis of the hip undergoing elective joint replacement surgery were screened for HFE hemochromatosis and compared to age- and sex-matched controls.
No greater prevalence of C282Y homozygosity mutation or elevated serum ferritin or transferrin saturation levels was found in the study cohort with severe osteoarthritis of the hip than in controls from the general population.
Our screening approach could not identify an increased prevalence of HFE gene mutations and iron overload in younger patients with severe osteoarthritis of the hip.