Association of ferritin and transferrin saturation with all-cause mortality, and the effect of concurrent inflammation: a danish cohort study

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

The association between ferritin and transferrin saturation (TS), respectively, and all-cause mortality is unclear. Furthermore, the influence of concurrent inflammation has not been sufficiently elucidated. We investigated these associations and the effect of concurrently elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), and accordingly report the levels associated with lowest all-cause mortality for females and males with and without inflammation. Blood test results from 161,921 individuals were included. Statistical analyses were performed in sex-stratified subpopulations, with ferritin or TS level as continuous exposure variables, and were adjusted for age, co-morbidity and inflammation status using CRP. An interaction was used to investigate whether the effect of ferritin or TS on all-cause mortality was modified by inflammation status (CRP >= 10 mg/L or CRP < 10 mg/L). Low and high ferritin and TS levels were respectively associated with increased all-cause mortality in females and in males. These associations persisted with concurrent CRP >= 10 mg/L. The ferritin level associated with lowest mortality was 60 mu g/L for females and 125 mu g/L for males with CRP < 10 mg/L. It was 52 mu g/L for females and 118 mu g/L for males with CRP >= 10 mg/L. The TS level associated with lowest mortality was 33.9% for females and 32.3% for males with CRP < 10 mg/L. It was 28.7% for females and 30.6% for males with CRP >= 10 mg/L. Our findings can nuance clinical interpretation and further aid in defining recommended ranges for ferritin and TS.

Original languageEnglish
Book seriesScandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation. Supplement
Volume82
Issue number7-8
Pages (from-to)525-532
ISSN0036-5513
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

    Research areas

  • Ferritins, transferrin, iron, iron metabolism disorders, iron deficiencies, iron overload, C-reactive protein, acute-phase proteins, acute-phase reaction, inflammation, mortality, public health, primary health care, GENERAL-POPULATION, SERUM FERRITIN, IRON

ID: 322940321