Serum Ferritin and NAFLD in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a challenge in public health, as the prevalence of obesity and overweight has been increasing. It has been observed that serum ferritin (SF) levels are commonly elevated in NAFLD patients. Purpose To assess the relationship between SF levels and NAFLD, exploring the role of SF as a non-invasive marker of NAFLD. Methods Clinical, anthropometric, laboratory, and histological data of patients with obesity who underwent bariatric surgery in a reference center in Brazil were retrospectively evaluated. Data were collected in the preoperative period up to the first year postoperatively. Results A total of 431 patients were analyzed. The prevalence of hyperferritinemia was 18% in the preoperative period and 14% 1 year after the surgery. After multiple regression analysis, elevated SF was not an independent predictor of steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or liver fibrosis. Conclusions Increased SF levels are common in patients with NAFLD; however, SF was not considered an independent predictor of steatosis, NASH, or fibrosis. Graphical abstract