SERUM FERRITIN IN ATHEROSCLEROTIC PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE

Abstract : Background- Iron is a trace element essential for the body because it is an important constituent of haemoglobin which is a carrier of oxygen in the body. Iron has also been found to cause harmful effects when it is found in excess since it increases the production of free radicals which produce oxidized LDL and lipid peroxides involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which is a chronic inflammatory disease. Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a prototype of chronic systemic atherosclerosis characterized by stenoses and occlusions in the peripheral arterial bed of lower limbs. A number of researches have been undertaken to determine the association between the status of body iron and coronary atherosclerosis. But there is little consensus about the causal relationship in the studies conducted so far.The objective of this study was to find out the Iron status in atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease by measuring serum ferritin in patients attending our hospital. This could serve as a representative of the south Indian population. Methods- This case-control study was conducted in the department of Vascular surgery in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai. 50 patients of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease, defined by Ankle Brachial Pressure Index 0.9 were included in the study. The controls were 50 healthy subjects matched for age and sex recruited. Serum Ferritin was measured using Immunoturbidimetry. The reference values are 20-250 g per L for men and 20-200 g per L for women. Results- The mean serum ferritin level in cases and controls were 203.3 g per L and 180.5 g per L, respectively. Student t test was used to calculate statistical significance and no significant difference was found in ferritin levels between cases and controls. Conclusion- Serum ferritin is not a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease in the study population.