Proton Pump Inhibitors Decrease Phlebotomy Need in HFE Hemochromatosis: Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled

Annick Vanclooster1, Cees van Deursen2, Reggy Jaspers3

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology and Metabolic Center, University Hospital Leuven, Belgium.

Gastroenterology
|June 19, 2017
PubMed

Phlebotomy constitutes the established treatment for HFE-related hemochromatosis. Retrospective studies have suggested proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce the need for phlebotomy in this population. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to prove this. Thirty p.C282Y homozygous patients were randomly allocated to PPI (pantoprazole 40 mg/day) or placebo for 12 months. Phlebotomies were performed when serum ferritin was > 100 μg/L. Phlebotomy need turned out to be significantly lower in patients taking PPI (P = .0052). PPI treatment significantly reduces the need for phlebotomies in p.C282Y homozygous patients. In view of the known long-term safety profile of PPI, they can be a valuable addition to standard therapy. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01524757.

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