MUST WE SCREEN FOR HOMOCHROMOTOSIS - CRITICAL-APPRAISAL OF LITERATURE

this paper focus on the main issues to evaluate before planning public health interventions which may optimise the prevention of hemochromat osis. The main indicators are considered: prevalence, morbidity and mo rtality of the disease, efficacy of the available treatment, sensitivi ty, specificity and predicative values of the screening tests; potenti al benefit of a national screening program in a public health perspect ive. These are evaluated through a critical appraisal of the clinical, epidemiologic and economic literature on hemochromatosis. The paper e mphasizes how individual behavior and preferences become crucial to ta ke into account when well-being subjects will face a population-based screening program. We conclude that further arguments are required bef ore the implementation of a national screening program for hemochromat osis.