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Association of increased ferritin with premature coronary stenosis in men
M Haidari1, E Javadi, A Sanati
1Cardiovascular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. mhaidari@sickkids.on.ca
Insights
High ferritin levels are linked to increased risk of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) in men. This study highlights ferritin as an independent predictor of CAD in younger male populations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Body iron status is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- High iron status may increase LDL oxidation, contributing to atherosclerosis.
- Investigated ferritin's role as a risk factor for atherosclerosis in young coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between ferritin levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) in a young population.
- To determine if ferritin is an independent risk factor for premature CAD.
- To explore potential sex differences in the ferritin-CAD relationship.
Main Methods:
- Studied 400 patients undergoing coronary angiography.
- Recorded risk factors for CAD, lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and ferritin concentrations.
- Utilized multiple logistic regression analysis for risk factor assessment.
Main Results:
- Ferritin levels were significantly higher in male CAD patients compared to controls.
- Elevated ferritin was an independent predictor of CAD in men (OR=1.62).
- The association was stronger in men ≤50 years and in diabetic men; no association found in women.
Conclusions:
- Increased ferritin may be an independent predictor of premature CAD in male patients.
- Findings suggest a potential role for ferritin in the development of early-onset CAD in men.
- The study highlights sex-specific associations between ferritin and CAD risk.
Background:
Body iron status has been implicated in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The main hypothesis is that high iron status is associated with increased oxidation of LDL. We investigated the potential role of ferritin as an additional risk factor promoting atherosclerosis among a young population with coronary artery disease (CAD).
Methods:
Four hundred consecutive patients (218 males, 182 females) referred for diagnostic coronary angiography were examined, and risk factors for CAD, lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and ferritin concentrations were recorded for all participants.
Results:
Ferritin was higher in the male patients with CAD (121 microg/L; range, 56-258 microg/L) than in the men without significant CAD (73 microg/L; range, 32-138 microg/L; P <0.002). Multiple logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for the established coronary risk factors, showed ferritin as an independent discriminating risk factor for CAD (P <0.01). Men in the highest quartile of ferritin had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.62 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.12-2.42; P <0.01] compared with men in the lowest quartile of ferritin. The association between ferritin and CAD was more pronounced in male patients < or =50 years (OR = 2.65; 95% CI, 1.35-5.51; P <0.003). Ferritin was significantly higher in diabetic male patients in comparison with nondiabetic male patients [168 microg/L (range, 74-406 microg/L) vs 106 microg/L (range, 44-221 microg/L), respectively; P <0.002]. No association was observed between ferritin and CAD among the female patients.
Conclusion:
Our data suggest that increased ferritin might be an independent predictor of premature CAD in male Iranian patients.