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Association of serum iron status with MASLD and liver fibrosis
Wenying Guo1, Ting Weng1, Yufei Song1
1Ningbo medical center Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Background:
The MASLD proposal updates and supplements the previous definition of NAFLD, making it more suitable for addressing the current understanding of chronic liver diseases. This study aims to investigate the potential association between serum iron status and the occurrence of MASLD and liver fibrosis.
Methods:
An in-depth analysis was conducted using the 2017-2020 NHANES data. To assess the relationship between serum iron status and the prevalence of MASLD and liver fibrosis, we performed comprehensive data analysis. This approach accounts for multiple variables, enhancing the robustness and reliability of our results by reducing potential confounding factors.
Results:
Our application of linear regression models provided significant insights through a comprehensive data analysis. Elevated serum ferritin, TIBC, and UIBC showed a distinct positive correlation with CAP, while only serum ferritin was positively correlated with LSM. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated levels of serum ferritin, TIBC, and UIBC were significantly associated with the occurrence of MASLD, whereas only serum ferritin showed a similar association with the occurrence of liver fibrosis.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the significant positive correlation between elevated levels of serum ferritin, TIBC, and UIBC with CAP and the prevalence of MASLD. A similar relationship was observed between serum ferritin with LSM and the prevalence of liver fibrosis.
Insights
Elevated iron markers like serum ferritin, TIBC, and UIBC are linked to metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and liver fibrosis. This suggests iron status may play a role in MASLD development and progression.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) definition evolves from NAFLD, reflecting current chronic liver disease understanding.
- Investigating the link between iron status and MASLD and liver fibrosis is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between serum iron status and the prevalence of MASLD.
- To determine the relationship between serum iron status and liver fibrosis in adults.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for analysis.
- Employed linear and multivariate logistic regression models to assess iron status markers (serum ferritin, TIBC, UIBC) against MASLD and liver fibrosis indicators (CAP, LSM).
- Controlled for multiple variables to ensure robust and reliable findings, minimizing confounding factors.
Main Results:
- Elevated serum ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) positively correlated with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP).
- Serum ferritin showed a positive correlation with liver stiffness measurement (LSM).
- Multivariate analysis confirmed elevated serum ferritin, TIBC, and UIBC associated with MASLD occurrence, while serum ferritin linked to liver fibrosis.
Conclusions:
- Higher serum ferritin, TIBC, and UIBC levels are significantly associated with increased prevalence of MASLD.
- Serum ferritin levels are positively correlated with liver fibrosis, indicating its potential role in disease progression.
