Serum Markers of Iron Metabolism in Chronic Liver Diseases

Disorders in the metabolism of iron in the direction of iron overload are observed not only in primary hemochromatosis but also in some chronic liver diseases other aetiology. Elevation of serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation is reported in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcohol, chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis.

Aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the frequency of the iron serum markers in patients with various chronic liver diseases.

The study included a total of 246 persons -186 patients with chronic liver disease without cirrhosis (-115 men, women -71; average age of 50.41 ± 12.85, from 23 to 77 years) and 60 healthy controls (-30 men, women -30, middle-aged 50.50 ± 11.31, from 29 to 83 years). Medical history, physical examination and demographic data including height, weight, laboratory and instrumental studies were performed.

The highest incidence of elevated serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin and decreased serum hepcidin found in cases of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Finally, analysis of the changes in serum markers of iron metabolism shows that the difference between healthy and sick with liver disease is primarily due to changes in alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, particularly steatohepatitis, and chronic hepatitis C.