[Rheumatic manifestations of genetic hemochromatosis].

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic manifestations of genetic hemochromatosis are frequent with axial or peripheral arthropathies (mono-, oligo- or polyarticular). These manifestations are characterized by articular damage and osteoporosis.

AIM: To review the rheumatic manifestations of genetic hemochromatosis.

METHODS: A narrative review of literature.

RESULTS: The diagnosis should be brought to mind when we discover arthropathy resembling degenerative joint disease with involvement of unusual articular sites, almost identical to the arthropathy in calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals deposition disease (chondrocalcinosis).

CONCLUSION: There is a significant bone loss in HC that cannot solely be explained by hypogonadism or cirrhosis and must lead to measure bone mass density to each patient with HC.