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Non-invasive methods for iron overload evaluation in dysmetabolic patients
Paula Pessin Fábrega Branisso1, Claudia Pinto Marques Souza de Oliveira2, Hilton Muniz Leão Filho3
1Obesity and metabolic syndrome study group, Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo, HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
Annals of Hepatology
|April 27, 2022
Summary
Non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and serum hepcidin effectively detect mild iron overload in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. These methods offer accurate assessment for dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Radiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hyperferritinemia in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can indicate inflammation or hepatic iron overload.
- Accurate assessment of iron overload is crucial for managing NAFLD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate non-invasive 3T MRI relaxometry and serum hepcidin for assessing mild hepatic iron overload in NAFLD.
- To correlate MRI findings with liver biopsy and assess ferritin subunit expression.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 67 biopsy-proven NAFLD patients.
- 3T MRI relaxometry performed, results compared to liver biopsy iron content.
- Serum ferritin, hepcidin, and ferritin subunit expression analyzed.
Main Results:
- MRI showed mild iron overload in all patients (sensitivity 73.5%, specificity 70%).
- Hepcidin threshold for siderosis was >30.2 ng/mL (sensitivity 87%, specificity 82%).
- Ferritin subunit expression was similar regardless of siderosis; no significant differences in lab tests.
Conclusions:
- 3T MRI relaxometry and serum hepcidin are accurate non-invasive tools for assessing mild hepatic iron overload in NAFLD.
- These methods are valuable for diagnosing dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome in NAFLD patients.
