Serum ferritin in pre-diabetes & diabetes mellitus type 2 and its relationship with glycemic status

Introduction: Emerging scientific evidence suggests an increased prevalence of elevated serum ferritin levels in diabetes mellitus type 2. Serum ferritin, being a reliable marker of body iron stores, have been related to glucose intolerance. Aim and Objectives: To analyze the serum ferritin levels in individuals having pre-diabetes and diabetes and to study its association with fasting blood glucose levels. Materials and Method: It is a cross-sectional study conducted in diabetic (n=40), pre-diabetic (n=40) and healthy individuals (n=40). Serum ferritin & fasting glucose levels were analyzed and compared among the groups. BMI was calculated and analyzed in all the groups. Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis done using SPSS 23 software. Mean and standard deviations of the parameters were compared using one way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson's correlations done for serum ferritin, glucose and BMI. Results: Serum ferritin was found to be significantly increased (p<0.000) in the diabetic (74.68 ± 22.74µg/l) compared to pre-diabetic (47.53± 14.46µg/l) and in pre-diabetic compared to healthy individuals (25.0 ± 1.71µg/l). Positive correlations were found among serum ferritin, fasting blood glucose and BMI. Conclusion: Serum ferritin could have an influential role in glucose homeostasis and its elevation in pre-diabetes and diabetes could have important therapeutic and prognostic implications.