S. Aklujkar1, A.B. Aklujkar*1, Sridharan Kannan2
1Department of Cardiology, Bhakti Vedanta Hospital and Research Centre, Shristi Complex, Mira Road, Thane, Mumbai – 401107. Maharashtra. India.
2Department of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji.
*Address for correspondence
Dr. Abhijit Aklujkar
Consultant Cardiologist
BhaktiVedanta Hospital and Research Centre
Shirsti Complex, Mira Road, Thane, Mumbai – 401107.
Maharashtra. India.
Abstract
Background: Contradictory evidence exists for the association of serum iron levels and body iron stores with risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The present study was designed as a case control study evaluating the plausible association of iron excess and CAD. Methods: A case control study in 50 patients diagnosed as CAD and 20 controls was conducted after obtaining their informed consent. Standard methods were used for estimation of serum iron and ferritin levels and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). Additionally, the same parameters were estimated in CAD group on day 8. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of demographic characteristics, paired/un-paired ‘t’ test was used for analysis of difference in the iron, ferritin and TIBC levels between the study participants. Results: Mean (SD) iron levels (in microgram/dl) in participants who have been diagnosed as having CAD was 108.75 (25) while 93.6 (22.2) statistically significant difference in the serum iron and ferritin levels, and TIBC was observed between the study groups. Also, a statistically significant difference was observed in the serum levels of iron in the case group on day 8. No statistically significant difference was observed in any of the sub-group analyses like fatality, CPK-MB and LDL/HDL ratio. Conclusion: To conclude, we found out significantly higher levels of serum iron and ferritin in patients with CAD in comparison to age and sex matched controls.
Keywords: Myocardial infarction, iron, ferritin
