Soluble Transferrin Receptor levels of Apparently Healthy Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Chilotachibuife Efobi,Oseikhuemen Adebayo Ejele,Benedict Nwogo,Igwebuike Victor Onyiaorah

doi:10.21276/apalm.1238

Abstract

BACKGROUND: soluble transferrin receptor is an early marker of tissue iron deficiency before onset of anaemia. sTfR is one of the diagnostic markers for iron deficiency anaemia. Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most prevalent causes of anaemia in our environment. However, there is no established reference range for this diagnostic marker sTfR in our environment. OBJECTIVES: To determine the soluble transferrin receptor levels in apparently normal adults in Port Harcourt Nigeria, determine the reference value of sTfR in the study population. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross sectional study conducted at the university of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. One hundred and fiftyparticipants who satisfied the inclusion criteria were enrolled for this study. Full blood count and sTfR concentration were assayed on anticoagulated blood samples using a 3-part auto analyzer (Sysmex –KX2IN ® ) and Human sTfR ELISA kit by BioVendor respectively. The results were analysed using SPSS version 21. P value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean sTfR concentration of the study population was 0.89±0.46ug/mL with a range of 0.3- 3.05ug/ml. The mean value of sTfR for males and females were 0.92±0.49ug/ml and 0.82±0.37ug/ml and the mean sTfR levels did not differ significantly for age and sex. CONCLUSION: The reference value of sTfR concentration in healthy adults in Port Harcourt was established as 0.3-3.05ug/ml. This study found no statistically significant relationship of sTfR between the different sexes and ages. DOI: 10.21276/APALM.1238

Highlights

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common anaemia in the world despite abundance of iron in the environment
The reference value of Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentration in healthy adults in Port Harcourt was established as 0.3-3.05ug/ml
This study found no statistically significant relationship of sTfR between the different sexes and ages

Summary

Introduction

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common anaemia in the world despite abundance of iron in the environment. [1,2] Due to the high global burden of iron deficiency anemia which has made it a public health issue, there is a need to devise a screening tool that can be used to detect iron deficiency before onset of anemia to aid early intervention and reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with IDA. This necessitates the need for a less invasive, specific and sensitive means of detecting tissue iron deficiency before onset of anemia. Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) assay is a feasible option.[3]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion