Independent relationship between serum ferritin levels and dyslipidemia in Chinese adults: A population study.

Abstract

ObjectiveSeveral studies have indicated that elevated levels of circulating ferritin are associated with disturbances in energy metabolism. But none of this gave a clearly pathologic mechanism. We aimed to explore the independent relationship between serum ferritin levels and dyslipidemia.MethodsWe performed multivariable logistic regression analyses to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for dyslipidemia, lipid parameters, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the risk of diabetes, according to sex-specific quartiles of serum ferritin by using the data of China Health and Nutrition Survey (2009 CHNS). We used three models to estimate the strength of the correlation. The basic model (Model 1) is without adjustment and the Model 2 and Model 3 are adjusted for demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle confounding factors.ResultsIn both genders, the ORs for high TG level, TC level and LDL-C level increased progressively and for HDL-C decreased across the ferritin quartiles (PConclusionOur results provide evidence that serum ferritin levels are significantly associated with lipid parameters, independent of glucose metabolism disorders and components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Thus, serum ferritin plays a key role in energy metabolism disorders and may affect glucose metabolism through lipid metabolism.