Author information
1Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland.
2Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland.
3Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract
Background: Treatment of Wilson's disease (WD), an inherited disease characterized by copper overload, is lifelong and there is the possibility that copper deficiency (CD) may occur. We systematically reviewed the literature to describe treatment patterns, symptoms and outcomes associated with CD.
Methods: Using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the PubMed database was searched up to 6 April 2023.
Results: Across 17 articles, 20 cases of CD were described, most commonly (15 cases) in WD patients treated with zinc salts (ZS), less often on combined chelator and ZS therapy (3 cases), molybdate salts plus ZS (1), or molybdate alone (1). CD symptoms occurred insidiously, including sideroblastic anemia, neutropenia, axonal sensory neuropathy, posterior cord myelopathy and increased ratio of epileptic seizures (or epilepsy). CD diagnosis was based on symptoms and severely reduced urinary copper excretion (<20 µg/24 h [<0.3 µmol/24 h] on ZS, or <100 µg/24 h [<1.6 µmol/24 h] on chelators) with low total serum copper and ceruloplasmin.
Conclusions: Awareness of CD and regular monitoring of copper metabolism is needed during WD treatment. Temporary cessation of anti-copper treatment usually reverses serum copper reductions as well as pancytopenia; however, some symptoms, especially neuropathy and myelopathy, may persist.