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. 2022 Aug;32(8):2658-2663.
doi: 10.1007/s11695-022-06127-4. Epub 2022 Jun 7.

Serum Ferritin and NAFLD in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Caroline B Giacomazzi #  1   2 , Cristiane V Tovo #  3   4 , Thaís R Moreira #  1   5 , Tales H S Pase #  5 , Armani B Linhares #  5 , Gabriela P Coral #  1   5 , Natalino Rinaldi #  2 , Sérgio R Pioner #  2 , Luiz A De Carli #  2 , Paulo R O Fontes #  1   5
Affiliations

Serum Ferritin and NAFLD in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Caroline B Giacomazzi et al. Obes Surg. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a challenge in public health, as the prevalence of obesity and overweight has been increasing. It has been observed that serum ferritin (SF) levels are commonly elevated in NAFLD patients.

Purpose: To assess the relationship between SF levels and NAFLD, exploring the role of SF as a non-invasive marker of NAFLD.

Methods: Clinical, anthropometric, laboratory, and histological data of patients with obesity who underwent bariatric surgery in a reference center in Brazil were retrospectively evaluated. Data were collected in the preoperative period up to the first year postoperatively.

Results: A total of 431 patients were analyzed. The prevalence of hyperferritinemia was 18% in the preoperative period and 14% 1 year after the surgery. After multiple regression analysis, elevated SF was not an independent predictor of steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or liver fibrosis.

Conclusions: Increased SF levels are common in patients with NAFLD; however, SF was not considered an independent predictor of steatosis, NASH, or fibrosis.

Keywords: Hepatic fibrosis; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; Obesity; Serum ferritin.

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