The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Hebridean folk urged to be aware of ‘Celtic Curse’
People from the Outer Hebrides and north-west Ireland have the highest risk of developing a genetic disease known as the “Celtic Curse” that causes a dangerous build-up of iron in the body, a study suggests.
The research marks the first time the genetic risk for haemochromatosis has been mapped across the UK and Ireland, despite a high incidence of the condition among Scottish and Irish populations.
Targeting genetic screening for the condition to priority areas could help identify at-risk individuals earlier and avoid future health complications, experts say.
Haemochromatosis symptoms can evolve over decades as high iron levels in the body cause damage to organs.
Early diagnosis and treatment – such as regular blood donation to reduce iron levels – is key to preventing liver damage, liver cancer and arthritis.
The condition is caused by small changes in DNA, known as genetic variants, which can be passed down through families. The most important risk factor in the UK and Ireland is a genetic variant called C282Y.
Scientists at Edinburgh University analysed genetic data from more than 400,000 individuals in the UK BioBank and Viking Genes studies to determine the prevalence of the C282Y variant across 29 regions of the British Isles and Ireland.
They found that people with ancestry from the north-west of Ireland have the highest risk of developing haemochromatosis, with one in 54 people estimated to carry the genetic variant. This is followed by Outer Hebrideans (one in 62) and those from Northern Ireland (one in 71).
Mainland Scots – particularly in Glasgow and south-west Scotland – are also at increased risk of the condition, with one in 117 people estimated to carry the variant, corroborating the “Celtic Curse” nickname.
Professor Jim Flett Wilson, chairperson of human genetics at Edinburgh University, said: “If untreated, the iron-overload disease haemochromatosis can lead to liver cancer, arthritis and other poor outcomes.
“We have shown that the risk in the Hebrides and Northern Ireland is much higher than previously thought, with about one in every 60 people at risk, about half of whom will develop the disease.
“Early detection prevents most of the adverse consequences and a simple treatment – giving blood – is available.
“The time has come to plan for community-wide genetic screening in these high-risk areas, to identify as many people as possible whose genes mean they are at high risk of this preventable illness.”
Western Isles Labour MP Torcuil Crichton has revealed he has the condition and supports the call for community screening for haemochromatosis genetic variants in the Hebrides.
Mr Crichton said: “This research writes the case for community-wide screening in the Western Isles, Northern Ireland and other haemochromatosis hotspots.
“I have previously raised this with ministers in the House of Commons and this new evidence ought to be enough to persuade the UK National Screening Committee to review its position and approve a pilot screening programme.
“The Western Isles offers a contained and distinct population sample to start from.
“Early identification, which I was lucky to have, means a whole range of bad health outcomes can be avoided and I’ll be urging ministers and the screening committee to reconsider their stance.”