Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0240066 (iron deficiency)
 7,156 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

During a health survey for chest disease in Ladakh, it was noted that women and a few men had marked koilonychia. It caused disfigurement, discomfort and sometimes disturbance of function. It occurred mainly in spring and summer and usually disappeared in winter. It is thought to be due to exposure to cold wet mud while repairing walls and irrigation canals. There was no evidence of iron deficiency.
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PMID:Seasonal koilonychia in Ladakh. 232 7

The idea that the human body probably produces a substance similar to caffeine came to my mind after reviewing the literature on the "restless legs syndrome". This syndrome is a disorder in which the afflicted individual feels an irresistible urge to move the legs, generally when sitting or lying down, and especially in bed, at night, just prior to getting to sleep. The patient has an extremely unpleasant deep discomfort inside the calves, requiring that the legs be moved(1). The "restless legs syndrome" has been described in persons who consume a lot of caffeine(2,3), in patients with iron deficiency anemia(4), and in patients with chronic renal failure(5). Since this syndrome occurs in persons who indulge in caffeine consumption as well as in patients with iron deficiency and patients with chronic renal failure, it is tempting to postulate that the human body- in cases of iron deficiency and chronic renal failure -produces a substance similar to caffeine. The following discussion entertains the hypothetical route that might be involved in the formation of this substance.
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PMID:Does the human body produce a substance similar to caffeine? 368 45

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rh-EPO) in patients with cancer-related anaemia. Thirty-six ambulatory patients who had malignant neoplasms and haemoglobin (Hb) values of < 11 g/dl (Pretoria is 1,310 m above sea level) entered the study. Patients with renal insufficiency or anaemia caused by bleeding or haemolysis, and patients with iron deficiency or megaloblastic anaemia, were not entered in the study. 22 IU/kg rh-EPO was given subcutaneously 3 times/week. The dose was escalated if Hb values did not rise after 4 weeks. All 36 patients were evaluable for toxicity. Side effects ascribed to rh-EPO were pain or discomfort at the site of injection (12 patients), heart palpitations (3 patients), skin rash (2 patients) and hypertension, deep vein thrombosis, and myalgia in 1 patient each. Thirty of the 36 patients who entered the study were evaluable for response. There were 16 females and 14 males among the evaluable patients. Median age was 64.5 years. Response, defined as an increase of Hb of at least 2 g/dl or to 12.5 g/dl, for at least 1 month, was documented in 12 patients. This was accompanied by an improvement in performance status and occurred within 1 month in 5 of the 12 patients who responded. rh-EPO has a limited but measurable therapeutic value for patients with cancer-associated anaemia.
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PMID:Recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of cancer-related anaemia. 797 Apr 93

The prevalence and significance of restless legs syndrome was assessed in 307 patients presenting to an acute-care geriatric medical service. Fifteen patients (5%) had restless legs syndrome; 13 (87%) of these patients had insomnia and 10 (67%) reported troublesome or frequent leg symptoms. Of 147 patients with current insomnia, iron deficiency (serum ferritin < 18 ng/ml) was present in 4/13 (31%) patients with restless legs and 8/134 (6%) patients without restless legs (P < 0.025). Improvement in symptoms of restless legs was noted with iron repletion. These findings suggest that restless legs syndrome is relatively common in the elderly and causes significant discomfort and sleep disturbance. Iron deficiency is a common and treatable cause.
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PMID:Restless legs syndrome in the elderly. 825 34

With the widespread use of recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), management of iron deficiency is an ongoing issue for the renal team. Effective iron replacement and maintenance play a vital role in efficient use of EPO. For hemodialysis patients, intravenous (i.v.) iron has proven convenient and, as an ancillary drug outside of the composite rate, generates profits for dialysis facilities. Improvements in the vehicle with which i.v. iron is administered have led to a reduction in severe or fatal reactions common with iron dextran products. Oral iron has had a spotty track record as an effective therapy for dialysis patients. Compliance has been hindered by patient discomfort when taking oral iron. Patients on peritoneal dialysis and those with chronic kidney disease remain good candidates for oral iron because of convenience, and oral formulas could prove more effective even in the hemodialysis patient population if they were better tolerated and better absorbed, and if using them would not place an economic burden on the patient and/or an economic hardship on the facility. In a capitated/bundled payment environment, oral iron may become a blessing rather than a curse for facilities that need to find more economic ways of providing services. Heme-iron, now undergoing clinical studies, may be a reliable replacement for i.v. iron in that scenario.
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PMID:The biological and economic value of oral organic iron in maintenance dialysis. 1190 60

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensory-motor disorder characterized by discomfort of and urge to move the legs, primarily during rest or inactivity, partial or total relief with movement, with presence or worsening exclusively in the evening. It is a relatively common but frequently unrecognized disorder, with a prevalence ranging from 2.5 to 15% of the general population, increasing with age and with a female preponderance. The diagnosis is clinical but polysomnography is useful to determine its profound impact on sleep (difficulties in sleep onset, maintaining sleep during the night, and sleep fragmentation) and for the evidence of periodic legs movements during sleep and wake. RLS is generally idiopathic, with familial association in 40-60% of the cases, but may also be symptomatic of such associated conditions (secondary forms) as peripheral neuropathies, uremia, iron deficiency (with or without anemia), diabetes, Parkinson's disease and pregnancy. Response to dopaminergic drugs indicates that dopamine receptors are implicated, and although much progress has been made in diagnosis and treatment in the last decade, more is needed for complete elucidation of the etiology and pathophysiology of RLS.
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PMID:Epidemiology and clinical findings of restless legs syndrome. 1516 38

The restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder characterised by an intense urge to move the legs and sometimes also other parts of the body, and accompanied by a marked sense of discomfort or pain in the affected body parts. This urge has a circadian pattern - it is most pronounced in the evening or during the night. RLS symptoms are relieved by movement. The pathophysiology of RLS is related to dopamine transmission insufficiency, low iron storage in substantia nigra neurons, and spinal cord dysfunction. RLS is idiopathic or secondary (usually associated with iron deficiency, end-stage renal failure, pregnancy and spinal lesions). One half of the patients with idiopathic RLS have positive family history of RLS. RLS is curable, though the choice of therapy and proper dosage titration may take a long time, and though the therapy may sometimes have to be changed owing to augmentation. The most important pharmacologic treatment used in RLS includes L-DOPA, dopamine agonists, opiates, anticonvulsants and benzodiazepines. Therapy improves significantly the condition in long-term at least in 80% of RLS patients.
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PMID:Restless legs syndrome in 2004. 1582 31

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder characterized by a distressing urge to move the legs and sometimes other parts of the body. Diagnosis is based on clinical features that may be easily remembered with the mnemonic URGE: Urge to move, Rest induced, Gets better with activity, and Evening and night accentuation. RLS is common, its prevalence increases with age, and women are more frequently affected. The course is chronic with often severe sleep disruption, including periodic leg movements. Differential diagnosis includes disorders of restlessness and leg discomfort. Primary RLS is familial and likely to be genetic. Important causes of secondary RLS are end-stage renal disease, pregnancy, and iron deficiency. Every patient should be checked for iron status with a serum ferritin measurement.
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PMID:Restless legs syndrome: demographics, presentation, and differential diagnosis. 1782 23

Restless-legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder, characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations. It begins or worsens during periods of rest or inactivity, is partially or totally relieved by movements and is exacerbated or occurs at night and in the evening. RLS sufferers represent 2 to 3% of the general population in Western countries. Supportive criteria include a family history, the presence of periodic-leg movements (PLM) when awake or asleep and a positive response to dopaminergic treatment. The RLS phenotypes include an early onset form, usually idiopathic with a familial history and a late onset form, usually secondary to peripheral neuropathy. Recently, an atypical RLS phenotype without PLM and l-DOPA resistant has been characterized. RLS can occur in childhood and should be distinguished from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, growing pains and sleep complaints in childhood. RLS should be included in the diagnosis of all patients consulting for sleep complaints or discomfort in the lower limbs. It should be differentiated from akathisia, that is, an urge to move the whole body without uncomfortable sensations. Polysomnographic studies and the suggested immobilization test can detect PLM. Furthermore, an l-DOPA challenge has recently been validated to support the diagnosis of RLS. RLS may cause severe-sleep disturbances, poor quality of life, depressive and anxious symptoms and may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In most cases, RLS is idiopathic. It may also be secondary to iron deficiency, end-stage renal disease, pregnancy, peripheral neuropathy and drugs, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants. The small-fiber neuropathy can mimic RLS or even trigger it. RLS is associated with many neurological and sleep disorders including Parkinson's disease, but does not predispose to these diseases. The pathophysiology of RLS includes an altered brain-iron metabolism, a dopaminergic dysfunction, a probable role of pain control systems and a genetic susceptibility with nine loci and three polymorphisms in genes serving developmental functions. RLS treatment begins with the elimination of triggering factors and iron supplementation when deficient. Mild or intermittent RLS is usually treated with low doses of l-DOPA or codeine; the first-line treatment for moderate to severe RLS is dopaminergic agonists (pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine). In severe, refractory or neuropathy-associated RLS, antiepileptic (gabapentin, pregabalin) or opioid (oxycodone, tramadol) drugs can be used.
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PMID:[Restless-legs syndrome]. 1865 14

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder, characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs and usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations. It begins or worsens during periods of rest or inactivity, is partially or totally relieved by movement and is exacerbated or occurs mainly in the evening or night. People suffering from RLS are estimated to represent 2-3% of the general Japanese population, which is relatively lower than the estimated prevalence in western countries. Supportive diagnostic critevia include family history, the presence of periodic-leg movements (PLM) when awake or asleep, and a positive response to dopaminergic treatment. RLS phenotypes include an early onset form that is usually idiopathic with frequent familial history and a late onset form that is usually secondary to other somatic conditions that are causative factors in RLS occurrence. In all patients presenting with complaints of insomnia or discomfort in the lower limbs, diagnosis of RLS should be considered. RLS should be differentiated from akathisia, which is an urge to move the whole body in the absence of uncomfortable sensations. Polysomnographic studies and the suggested immobilization test (SIT) can detect PLM in patients that are asleep or awake. RLS may cause severe sleep disturbances, poor quality of life, depressive and anxious symptoms, and may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Secondary RLS may occur due to iron deficiency, end-stage renal disease, pregnancy, peripheral neuropathy and drug use including antipsychotics and antidepressants. Small fiber neuropathy can trigger RLS or mimic its symptoms. RLS is associated with many neurological disorders, including Parkinson disease and multiple system atrophy; althoughit does not predispose to these diseases. A symptom rating scale for RLS authorized by the International RLS Study Group (IRLS) would facilitate accurate diagnosis of this condition.
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PMID:[Diagnosis and symptom rating scale of restless legs syndrome]. 1951 13


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