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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staff
Wilson's disease can cause serious complications such as:
- Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). As liver cells try to make repairs to damage done by excess copper, scar tissue forms in the liver. The scar tissue makes it more difficult for the liver to function.
- Liver failure. Liver failure can occur suddenly (acute liver failure), or it can develop slowly over many years. If liver function progresses, a liver transplant may be a treatment option.
- Liver cancer. Damage to the liver caused by Wilson's disease may increase the risk of liver cancer.
- Persistent neurological problems. Neurological problems usually improve with treatment for Wilson's disease. However, some people may experience persistent neurological difficulty, despite treatment.
- Kidney problems. Wilson's disease can damage the kidneys, leading to kidney problems, such as kidney stones and an abnormal number of amino acids excreted in the urine (aminoaciduria).
References
- Cox DW, et al. Wilson disease. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/153549812-5/0/1389/0.html. Accessed Aug. 11, 2009.
- Roberts EA, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of Wilson disease: An update. Hepatology. 2008;47:2089.
- Wilson disease. National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/wilson. Accessed Aug. 11, 2009.
- ATP7B. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene=atp7b. Accessed Aug. 11, 2009.
- Copper, Cu (mg) content of selected foods. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 21. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR21/nutrlist/sr21w312.pdf. Accessed Aug. 18, 2009.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Sept. 14, 2009.
