[Joint disease in idiopathic hemochromatosis].

This study concerns seven patients with idiopathic haemochromatosis. The most common joint lesion involved the 2nd and 3rd metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) and the wrists. The most frequent sites of chondrocalcinosis were the knees, the hips and the triangular ligament of the wrist. The most common radiological sign is osteoporosis, but the most typical appearance is degenerative joint disease localized to the MCP (2nd and 3rd) and to the wrist. The authors observed an association with HLA A3-B7, but no cases of association with A3-B14. Only one patient had hypo-uricaemia. The authors compare this series with those of other authors.