Definition
Definition
Porphyria is a group of disorders. The disorders lead to a buildup of porphyrins in the body. Porphyrins help to make a part of the red blood cell. Excess amounts of porphyrins can cause damage to your body. It most often affects the nervous system and skin.
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Some porphyria disorders include:
- Acute intermittent porphyria
- Porphyria cutanea tarda
- Erythropoietic protoporphyria
- Congenital erythropoietic protoporphyria—present from birth
Causes
Causes
Most types of porphyrias are inherited through genes. They may be passed on by 1 or both parents.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Caucasians are at greater risk for porphyria. Women are also at increased risk, because porphyria is related to the menstrual cycle. The most common risk of porphyria is having a family member with the disease.
Porphyria attacks may be triggered by:
- Drugs
- Infections
- Alcohol consumption
- Dieting
- Smoking
- Stress
Symptoms
Symptoms
Porphyria can cause skin or nervous system problems. Urine may also be reddish in color or darken after standing in the light. Other specific symptoms will depend on the type of porphyria.
Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP)
Nervous system symptoms occur most often after puberty. Nerves of the intestines can cause gastrointestinal problems. Attacks can last from days to weeks. Symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Pain in limbs, head, neck, or chest
- Impaired movement
- Rapid heart rate
- Breathing problems
- Seizures
- Difficulty urinating
-
Mental symptoms such as:
- Behavioral changes
- Hallucinations
- Difficulty sleeping
- Confusion
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT)
This is the most common porphyria. Most are not inherited. They are acquired at some point.
Symptoms are primarily in the skin and increase with sun exposure. Symptoms may include:
- Fragile skin—minor injury may damage the skin
- Blisters on the face, hands, arms, feet, and legs
- Skin that thickens and scars
- Skin color changes
- Red, pink, or brown urine particularly after sun exposure
Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)
Skin symptoms may occur before or during sun exposure. Symptoms include:
- Redness or swelling, but usually no blisters
- Itching or burning sensation
- Long-term skin and nail changes
Other symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Headache
- Insensitivity to temperature
- Depressed mood
Congenital Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (CEP)
This form is rare.
Symptoms may include:
- Reddish urine, in infancy
- Sun sensitivity, beginning in early infancy
- Blisters that open and are prone to infection
- Skin color changes
- Skin thickening
- Nail changes, ridging, or absence of nail
- Reddish-brown teeth
- Excess tears
- Sensitivity to light
- Headache
- Diarrhea or vomiting
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms. A medical and family history will be taken. A physical exam will also be done.
Your bodily fluids and waste may be tested. This can be done with:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Stool tests
Treatment
Treatment
For all types of porphyria, treatment includes the following:
- Avoiding known triggers and drugs
- Eating a high-carbohydrate diet
- IV glucose
- Medication, if glucose therapy is not effective
Porphyria that affects the skin requires special attention to protect the skin from injury and/or infection.
Additional treatment depends on the type of porphyria:
Acute Intermittent Porphyria
You may need to be hospitalized during an attack. Your doctor will work with you to determine what triggered the attack. Common triggers include:
-
Drugs, such as:
- Barbiturates
- Sulfa drugs
- Seizure drugs
-
Steroid hormones such as:
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Hormonal changes related to the menstrual cycle
- Weight-loss diets or fasting
- Infections
- Alcohol
- Stress
- Surgery
- Cigarette smoke
Treatment for acute intermittent porphyria may include:
- Stopping or substituting any medication suspected to be the cause
- Medication to reduce symptoms
- Glucose delivered by IV
- Monitoring and treatment for side effects like heart problems, breathing difficulties, and seizures
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Your doctor may need to identify the triggers. Common triggers include:
- Iron
- Alcohol
- Estrogens
- Hydrocarbons
- Certain pesticides or chemicals
Treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda may include:
-
Avoiding:
- Sun exposure
- Alcohol consumption
- Iron supplement and iron rich foods
- Blood removal weekly to monthly to reduce porphyrins in blood
- Low doses of antimalarial drugs may reduce symptoms in some
- Annual doctor visits for liver monitoring
Erythropoietic Protoporphyria
The primary treatment step is to avoid or limit exposure to sunlight. Other treatment steps may include:
- Medications to increase light tolerance such as beta-carotene
- Medication to help remove porphyrins from body
-
Treatment for complications:
- Blood transfusion or removal of spleen for anemia
- Liver transplant
Erythropoietic protoporphyria may also be triggered by dieting or fasting. Your doctor will discuss a healthy diet plan.
Congenital Erythropoietic Protoporphyria
The primary treatment step is to avoid or limit exposure to sunlight. Other treatment steps may include:
- Medications to increase light tolerance such as beta-carotene
- Removal of the spleen to reduce need for blood transfusion for anemia
- Bone marrow transplantation
Prevention
Prevention
Genetic testing may identify people at risk for porphyria. If there are people in your family with porphyria, you may be at risk. The counselor will help find the risks for this disorder in you and your offspring.
RESOURCES:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases http://www2.niddk.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders http://www.cord.ca
References:
http://porphyriafoundation.com/about-porphyria
Accessed December 16, 2014.
Acute intermittent porphyria. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated July 9, 2010. Accessed December 16, 2014.
Erythropoietic porphyria. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated June 9, 2010. Accessed December 16, 2014.
Porphyria. National Digestive Diseases Information website. Available at:
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/porphyria/
Updated February 26, 2014. Accessed December 16, 2014.
Porphyria cutanea tarda. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated November 29, 2012. Accessed December 16, 2014.
Porphyria: treatment and prevention. Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network—National Institutes of Health website. Available at:
http://Rarediseasesnetwork.epi.usf.edu/porphyrias/patients/treatment
Accessed December 16, 2014.
Last Updated: 12/20/2014