THE ROLE OF SERUM FERRITIN IN ANAEMIA – A KEY DIAGNOSTIC MARKER OF IRON DEFICIENCY

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Anaemia is a serious global public health problem. It is among the top leading causes of disability-adjusted life years lost among adolescents. The WHO has recognized Iron deficiency anemia as the most common nutritional deficiency in the world with 30% of the population being affected. Anemia has significant implications in terms of mortality as well as impaired work capacity and economic development. Serum ferritin plays a major role in diagnosis as well as management of anemia. 1. To study and interpret the iron paramet Objectives: ers in patients of anemia of Iron deficiency and anemia of chronic diseases. 2.To evaluate the role of serum ferritin over serum iron in early detection of iron deficiency. A cross-sectional study was undertaken during Material and Methods: February 2017 to August 2018. A total of 65 patients of anemia were included in the present study comprising 31 cases of Iron deficiency anemia and 34 cases of anemia of Chronic diseases. Serum ferritin was analyzed by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay technique in Abbott instrument. All other biochemical measurements were performed as per standard procedures. SPSS version 2.0 was used, Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was done. Results: There was a high prevalence of anemia among the age group 21 to 40, that is 38.7%. In Iron deficiency anemia median and interquartile range values of serum Iron and serum ferritin were 45 and 51.0, 13 and 13.80 respectively. Spearman's correlation with serum ferritin was found to be significant in patients of iron deficiency anemia. The r value being 0.537 and the p value 0.002. Spearman's correlation of serum ferritin with serum iron was found to be more significant in females. Serum ferritin can be used as an early marker in diagnosis of Iron deficiency anemia as we Conclusion: ll as in screening risk population, thus preventing associated morbidity and mortality