UC Davis Health designated Wilson Disease Center of Excellence

UC Davis Health has been designated a Center of Excellence by the Wilson Disease Association. The award recognizes care teams that provide the highest quality care to Wilson disease patients with acute or chronic illness.

UC Davis Health is one of eight health systems in the United States (and the second in California) to be named a Wilson Disease Center of Excellence. It is only the 11th in the world.

“This designation is a significant accomplishment by the dedicated members of our Wilson disease care team, which includes hepatology and neurology,” said the director of the center of excellence, Valentina Medici. She is a professor of gastroenterology and hepatology and vice chair for research in Internal Medicine. “The award recognizes our commitment to optimizing Wilson disease care, and diagnosis and follow-up of people affected by the disease.”

What is Wilson disease?

According to the National Liver Foundation, about 1 in 30,000 people has Wilson disease.

It is an inherited condition that causes the body to retain excess copper. The liver of a person who has Wilson disease does not release copper into bile as it should. This leads to copper overload in the liver and subsequently in the brain and other organs. This causes a wide range of health problems, including liver, neurological and psychiatric issues.

Neurological symptoms may be the first sign of the condition. Patients can have tremors, dystonia, parkinsonism, speech and swallowing difficulties, and psychiatric disturbances.

“Early diagnosis and prompt treatment for Wilson disease is crucial, as delayed care can have serious consequences,” explained Lin Zhang, professor of neurology and director of the Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence. “We collaborate with hepatologists and other specialists to develop a comprehensive treatment plan often involving medications to remove excess copper and dietary changes.”

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment for Wilson disease is crucial, as delayed care can have serious consequences.” —Lin Zhang

A Wilson Disease Center of Excellence provides and guarantees:

• One or more health care professionals committed to the care of Wilson disease patients
• Physicians well trained in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Wilson disease
• Education of the next generation of physicians to care for Wilson disease patients
• Clinical diagnostic laboratory studies for metal analysis and related testing
• Basic research into the underlying pathophysiology of disorders of copper metabolism and new experimental therapies for the disorder
• Access to clinical trials to advance medical and surgical treatments
• Patient, family, public and continuing medical education

In addition, the center must be an educational and consultative resource to patients, physicians and other health care professionals concerning the diagnosis, treatment and management of Wilson disease.

Providing training and education to patients and fellow health care professionals is vital to ensuring Wilson disease patients have access to the care they need. As one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, UC Davis Health is uniquely positioned to serve in this role and offer the most advanced care for Wilson disease.” —Valentina Medici

“Providing training and education to patients and fellow health care professionals is vital to ensuring Wilson disease patients have access to the care they need,” Medici added. “As one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, UC Davis Health is uniquely positioned to serve in this role and offer the most advanced care for Wilson disease.”

The Wilson Disease Association serves as an advocate and resource for individuals and families dealing with Wilson disease. It disseminates scientific, clinical and adaptive information to its members and the treating community. For more information, visit the Wilson Disease Association website.

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