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Brief Summary

GUIDELINE TITLE

Screening for hereditary hemochromatosis: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC SOURCE(S)

GUIDELINE STATUS

This is the current release of the guideline.

BRIEF SUMMARY CONTENT

 
RECOMMENDATIONS
 EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS
 IDENTIFYING INFORMATION AND AVAILABILITY
 DISCLAIMER

 Go to the Complete Summary

RECOMMENDATIONS

MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendation 1: There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against screening for hereditary hemochromatosis in the general population.

Recommendation 2: In case-finding for hereditary hemochromatosis, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation tests should be performed.

Recommendation 3: Physicians should discuss the risks, benefits, and limitations of genetic testing in patients with a positive family history of hereditary hemochromatosis or those with elevated serum ferritin level or transferrin saturation.

Recommendation 4: Further research is needed to establish better diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic criteria for hereditary hemochromatosis.

CLINICAL ALGORITHM(S)

None provided

EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS

TYPE OF EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS

The recommendations are supported by data from cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies.

IDENTIFYING INFORMATION AND AVAILABILITY

BIBLIOGRAPHIC SOURCE(S)

ADAPTATION

Not applicable: The guideline was not adapted from another source.

DATE RELEASED

2005 Oct 4

GUIDELINE DEVELOPER(S)

American College of Physicians - Medical Specialty Society

SOURCE(S) OF FUNDING

American College of Physicians

GUIDELINE COMMITTEE

Clinical Efficacy Assessment Subcommittee (CEAS)

COMPOSITION OF GROUP THAT AUTHORED THE GUIDELINE

Authors: Amir Qaseem, MD, PhD, MHA; Mark Aronson, MD; Nick Fitterman, MD; Vincenza Snow, MD; Kevin B. Weiss, MD, MPH; Douglas K. Owens, MD, MS

Clinical Efficacy Subcommittee Members: Douglas K. Owens, MD, MS (Chair); Mark Aronson, MD; Patricia Barry, MD, MPH; Donald E. Casey Jr., MD, MPH, MBA; J. Thomas Cross Jr., MD, MPH; Nick Fitterman, MD; E. Rodney Hornbake, MD; Katherine D. Sherif, MD; and Kevin Weiss, MD, MPH (Immediate Past Chair)

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES/CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

None disclosed

GUIDELINE STATUS

This is the current release of the guideline.

GUIDELINE AVAILABILITY

Electronic copies: Available from the Annals of Internal Medicine Web site.

Print copies: Available from the American College of Physicians (ACP), 190 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia PA 19106-1572.

AVAILABILITY OF COMPANION DOCUMENTS

PATIENT RESOURCES

The following is available:

  • Summaries for patients. Screening for hereditary hemochromatosis: recommendations from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med 2005 Oct 4;143(7):I-46.

Electronic copies: Available in Portable Document Format (PDF) from the Annals of Internal Medicine Web site.

Print copies: Available from the American College of Physicians (ACP), 190 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia PA 19106-1572.

Please note: This patient information is intended to provide health professionals with information to share with their patients to help them better understand their health and their diagnosed disorders. By providing access to this patient information, it is not the intention of NGC to provide specific medical advice for particular patients. Rather we urge patients and their representatives to review this material and then to consult with a licensed health professional for evaluation of treatment options suitable for them as well as for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions. This patient information has been derived and prepared from a guideline for health care professionals included on NGC by the authors or publishers of that original guideline. The patient information is not reviewed by NGC to establish whether or not it accurately reflects the original guideline's content.

NGC STATUS

This NGC summary was completed by ECRI on November 23, 2005. The information was verified by the guideline developer on December 13, 2005.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

This NGC summary is based on the original guideline, which is subject to the guideline developer's copyright restrictions.

DISCLAIMER

NGC DISCLAIMER

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Readers with questions regarding guideline content are directed to contact the guideline developer.


 

 

   
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