Serum Ferritin as a Biomarker for Diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome comprises a cluster of conditions, including insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and central obesity, that collectively increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

Aim: To investigate the association between serum ferritin levels and metabolic syndrome to determine whether serum ferritin can serve as a reliable biomarker for the early detection and diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to June 2024 at Aarupadai Veedu Medical College, Puducherry. A total of 128 participants aged 18 to 65 years were included, divided into two groups: 64 individuals with metabolic syndrome and 64 without metabolic syndrome, based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Serum ferritin levels and other metabolic markers were analyzed using SPSS v26. Nonparametric statistical tests were employed due to the non-normal distribution of the data.

Results: No significant age difference was observed between the groups; however, a notable gender disparity was identified, with a higher proportion of males in the case group. Significant differences in metabolic parameters were noted, with the case group exhibiting higher waist-to-hip ratios, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels. Serum ferritin levels were significantly elevated in the case group (123.39 ± 113.83 ng/mL) compared to the control group (18.45 ± 9.68 ng/mL), with a Mann-Whitney U test statistic of -7.167 (p = 0.001), indicating a strong association with metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion: Elevated serum ferritin levels are significantly associated with metabolic syndrome, suggesting their potential as a biomarker for early detection. While the correlations with individual components of metabolic syndrome were weak, serum ferritin offers valuable diagnostic insights. Further research is warranted to enhance its clinical applicability.