What are the most important predisposing factors?
The following are the most important predisposing factors that have been identified. Most patients will have at least one. • Iron accumulation in the liver. Almost all PCT patients have an increase in iron in the liver, which is believed to be the most important factor involved in the inactivation of the UROD enzyme. Some of these patients, may also have inherited a condition called haemochromatosis that is responsible for too much iron accumulating in the body. • Regular alcohol consumption. • Viral infections of the liver. Hepatitis C is an important predisposing factor for PCT in many European countries. • Oestrogen therapy. For example the oral contraceptive or hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
