Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent pathologies in the modern world. Despite the prevalence of this pathology, it continues to be studied, with new facts and mysteries about this diagnosis emerging. One such aspect is the impact of NAFLD on serum ferritin levels.

Aim: To investigate whether NAFLD affects serum ferritin levels in patients with insulin resistance.

Materials and Methods: To explore this topic, we examined 19 patients with NAFLD and insulin resistance, who were treated at the Ternopil regional central hospital (Group 1). The control group consisted of 16 patients with NAFLD but without nsulin resistance and without pathologies that could directly affect serum ferritin levels (Group 2). All patients underwent medical examinations. For comprehensive research, we conducted general clinical analyses (complete blood count, urinalysis, biochemical blood analysis) and instrumental studies (ultrasound, elastography, ECG). Special examination methods were also performed, including analyses of serum ferritin levels. The combination of these studies allowed us to confirm NAFLD and Insulin resistance in patients of the first group and exclude it in patients of the control group.

Results: When comparing the results of the control group (2) and the examined group (1), we identified certain patterns and peculiarities. Among the patients in the control group (2), the serum ferritin level was normal in 8 patients (50%), decreased in 5 patients (31.25%), and elevated in 2 patients (12.5%). In group 1 (patients with NAFLD), the distribution of results was as follows: the serum ferritin level corresponded to the norm in 7 patients (36.8%), was decreased in 2 patients (10.52%), and was elevated in 10 patients (52.63%). Thus, comparing the percentage ratio of data between group 1 and group 2 (control group), a clear pattern of elevated serum ferritin levels in the majority of NAFLD patients with Insulin resistance was evident.

Conclusions: According to the aforementioned results, we can assert that the presence of NAFLD and Insulin resistance is one of the factors influencing the elevation of serum ferritin levels in patients. This issue requires further and deeper investigation.