Association of Serum Ferritin with NAFLD

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to fat accumulation in the liver exceeding 5% to 10% by weight in the absence of excessive alcohol consumption .Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease comprises a wide spectrum of liver damage ranging from simple,uncomplicated steatosis to steatohepatitis to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. Serum ferritin (SFL) is a protein expressed in acute phase, so its level is elevated in the case of liver necrosis, inflammation. This cross-sectional observational study consisted of140 cases of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and 60 age matched healthy controls, between 35- 80 years of age.Serum ferritin estimation was done by CLIA method. Serum ferritin in NAFLD cases was 94±33.8ng/ml while in the control it was 43.5 26.4ng/ml with a p value <0.0001. Serum ferritin may be a simple,non-invasive useful marker for patients with NAFLD.