Association Of Serum Ferritin And Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Data From The Third National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

Background: Few data have been published on the association of variables of the insulin resistance syndrome and serum ferritin, an indicator of body iron stores and putative risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity, in representative samples of total populations or in Hispanic Americans. Methods: To describe the distribution of serum ferritin concentration and its association with indicators of insulin resistance, data were analyzed from a cross-sectional survey of a large national sample, the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The analysis was restricted to Mexican American men aged 40-74 years. Measurements included glycated hemoglobin, body mass index (BMI), body fat distribution, HDL cholesterol, fasting serum insulin, serum triglycerides and serum ferritin concentrations. Results: Distributions of serum ferritin, glycated hemoglobin, fasting serum insulin and plasma glucose changed little between ages 40 and 69. Log serum ferritin was not correlated with glycated hemoglobin percent and inconsistently correlated with HDL and blood pressure. Log serum ferritin concentration showed significant positive associations with fasting serum insulin concentration independent of age and BMI, levels being elevated in persons with ferritin in the fifth quintile. The association was strongest at age 40-49. Conclusion: Further research is needed on the associations of serum ferritin concentration with insulin resistance and other components of the insulin resistance syndrome to elucidate the mechanisms and significance of observed associations.