The porphyrias are a group of disorders characterized by defects in the heme biosynthesis pathway. Many present with skin findings including photosensitivity, bullae, hypertrichosis, and scarring. Systemic symptoms may include abdominal pain, neuropsychiatric changes, anemia, and liver disease. With advances in DNA analysis, researchers are discovering the underlying genetic causes of the porphyrias, enabling family members to be tested for genetic mutations. Here we present a comprehensive review of porphyria focusing on those with cutaneous manifestations. In Part I, we have included the epidemiology, pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis, and histopathology. Treatment and management options will be discussed in Part II.
IntroductionThe porphyrias are a group of disorders characterized by defects in heme production, resulting in buildup of toxic heme precursors (Table 1). Cutaneous findings are common and include photosensitivity, painful burning, bullae, and scarring. Diagnosis requires laboratory measurement of heme precursors in plasma, urine, stool, and erythrocytes.Heme is made from glycine and succinyl-coenzyme A in eight steps (Fig. 1). Heme synthesis is ubiquitous throughout the body, but 85% occurs in bone marrow, becoming hemoglobin.1 Porphyrias are classified into two categories based on whether heme precursors build up in the liver (hepatic porphyrias) or bone marrow (erythropoietic porphyrias). Hepatic porphyrias are subdivided into acute and chronic subtypes, and tend to have secondary triggers (e.g., drugs, alcohol, hormone fluctuation, infection, and fasting). Acute hepatic porphyrias present with episodes (acute attacks) of abdominal or neurological symptoms caused by a genetic predisposition with a secondary metabolic trigger. Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), the only chronic hepatic porphyria, has a prolonged course of liver damage and photosensitivity. Erythropoietic porphyrias present in childhood with photosensitivity. While the main defect lies in the erythrocytes, the liver may also be involved.
Materials and methodsA comprehensive literature search was initially performed using PubMed. Broad searches were performed using the terms "porphyria," "coproporphyria," and "protoporphyria" in the title, and "skin diseases, genetic" in the medical subject heading, but excluding for medical subject heading "acute intermittent." Articles