Abnormal ferritin levels predict development of poor outcomes in cirrhotic outpatients: a cohort study

BMC Gastroenterology

David Tornai¹  Peter Antal-Szalmas¹  Tamas Tornai²  Istvan Tornai²  Maria Papp²  Tamas Janka²  Boglarka Balogh²  Zsuzsanna Vitalis²  Nora Sipeki² 

[1] Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen;Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen;

关键词: Ferritin;    Cirrhosis;    Outpatients;    Long-term prognosis;    Decompensation;    Bacterial infection;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12876-021-01669-w

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Both iron overload and iron deficient anemia can associate with cirrhosis. At the same time, inflammation might be continuously present in cirrhotic patients due to bacterial translocation and patients’ susceptibility to infections. Ferritin is a sensitive and widely available marker of iron homeostasis, in addition it acts as an acute phase protein. Therefore, we evaluated the prognostic potential of serum ferritin in the long-term follow-up of cirrhotic outpatients. Methods A cohort of 244 cirrhotic outpatients was recruited and followed for 2 years. We measured their serum ferritin levels in our routine laboratory unit at enrolment and investigated its association with clinical outcomes. Results Ferritin serum level was higher in males and older patients than in females (median: 152.6 vs. 75 μg/L, p < 0.001) or younger individuals (median: 142.9 vs. 67.9 μg/L, p = 0.002). Patients who previously survived variceal bleeding had lower ferritin levels (median: 43.1 vs. 146.6 μg/L, p < 0.001). In multivariate regression models, including laboratory and clinical factors, lower (< 40 μg/L) ferritin concentration was associated with the development of decompensated clinical stage in patients with previously compensated cirrhosis (sHR: 3.762, CI 1.616–8.760, p = 0.002), while higher (> 310 μg/L) circulating ferritin levels were associated with increased risks of bacterial infections in decompensated patients (sHR: 2.335, CI 1.193–4.568, p = 0.013) and mortality in the whole population (HR: 2.143, CI 1.174–3.910, p = 0.013). Conclusion We demonstrated usefulness of serum ferritin as a prognostic biomarker in cirrhosis, pointing out that both low and high concentrations need attention in these patients.

【 授权许可】

Unknown