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Wilson Disease

Amy C McPhillips, DO Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Autosomal recessive condition affecting copper excretion; originally known as progressive lenticular degeneration

  • Leads to progressive liver damage and cirrhosis, commonly associated ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Typically presents in children between ages 9 and 13 years with signs of liver disease.

  • About 50% of patients present with liver disease.

  • Older patients between ages 15 and 21 years are...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Avoid copper-rich foods.

  • Check home water for copper content.

MEDICATION

First Line

  • D-penicillamine: 250 to 500 mg/day initially. Increase by 250 mg every 4 to 7 days to max 1,00...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Minimum 2 times per year for stable patients 

Patient Monitoring

  • 24-hour urinary copper excretion (annually or more frequent if questioning compliance): 200 to 500 ...

REFERENCES

1
Pfeiffer  RF. Wilson disease. Continuum (Minneap Minn).  2016;22(4):1246–1261. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]
2
Kasztelan-Szczerbinska B. Cic...

CODES

ICD10

E83.01 Wilson’s Disease 

SNOMED

88518009 Wilson’s disease (disorder) 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Suspect Wilson disease in a patient with liver disease of unknown origin, coexisting neuropsychologic symptoms, or with atypical autoimmune hepatitis/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis that ...

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