Frequency of Raised Serum Ferritin Levels and Its Correlation with HbA1c Among Patients Having Diabetes at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of raised serum ferritin levels and its correlation with HbA1c in patients presenting with diabetes.

Methodology: This Descriptive, Cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of Pathology & in collaboration with Department of General Medicine, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from August 24, 2022, to February 24, 2023. All the cases of diabetes (n=151), fulfilling inclusion criteria were recruited in the study. Baseline data such as age, gender, residential status, control of diabetes, duration of diabetes, obesity, family history, hypertension was recorded. Three ml of venous blood was taken for serum ferritin & HbA1c levels.

Results: Mean age of the participants was 48.8 ± 10.8 years. There were 57% females. Median (IQR) HbA1c (%) levels of the participants was 7.7 (3.3). Median (IQR) serum ferritin levels of the participants was 96 (131) ng/ml. Raised serum ferritin was found in 30.5% of the participants. A weak positive correlation (r=0.252) was found between HbA1c levels and serum ferritin levels that was statistically significant (p=0.002).

Conclusion: Serum ferritin levels can be used as a marker for glycemic control in diabetic patients.

Keywords: Ferritin, Diabetes Mellitus, Glycated Hemoglobin