Porphyria Cutanea Tarda

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Abstract
The effect of phlebotomy on porphyrin metabolism was studied in 20 patients with characteristic clinical and chemical evidence of porphyria cutanea tarda. The removal of 2500 to 8500 ml of blood over a period of three to eight and a half months markedly reduced uroporphyrin excretion associated with remission of the clinical disorder in all the patients. Follow-up observations revealed persistence of the clinical response associated with a progressive reduction in porphyrin excretion levels in 18 of the patients. Fourteen were observed for between one and three and one quarter years without relapse. Recurrences occurred in two patients. One was re-treated and again responded both clinically and chemically. These results indicate that bloodletting has a marked effect on porphyrin metabolism in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda.

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