Alcohol consumption among South African blacks and its relationship to iron overload

The drinking habits of 123 black men (28 from Cape Town and 95 from Pietermaritzburg) were recorded, and their weekly alcoholic iron intakes calculated. Serum ferritin levels and liver function were measured in 57 subjects (Cape Town 12, Pietermaritzburg 45). Sorghum beer, with its high iron content, was considerably more popular in Pietermaritzburg than Cape Town, and the weekly iron consumption in Pietermaritzburg was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than in Cape Town. The serum ferritin level was significantly higher in Cape Town than in Pietermaritzburg (P less than 0.05), no significant correlation being found between iron intake and serum ferritin. Age was positively correlated with serum ferritin (P less than 0.01). Of the subjects studied, 74% had abnormal lactate dehydrogenase levels. These results are considered in the light of the numerous problems associated with this type of project. The need for prospective studies in order to demonstrate a causal relationship between alcoholic iron intake and iron overload is emphasized.