Low Serum Iron Status Is Associated With Low Incidence of Coronary Artery Disease In Women

Abstract

Background: Disorders of iron metabolism has been implicated in cardiovascular disease. However, the association of serum ferritin and coronary artery disease (CAD) remains inconsistent. Here, we investigated the associations of serum iron metabolism with the incidence of CAD, the severity of coronary artery stenosis, metabolic biomarkers, and 1-year restenosis after coronary artery revascularization. Methods: A total of 643 CAD patients and 643 healthy controls were enrolled to assess the associations of serum iron status with the presence of CAD, the severity of CAD, and 1-year rehospitalization after revasculation. Serum iron metabolism and other metabolic markers were measured in all subjects. All statistical analyses were analyzed using SPSS22.0 software and STATA statistical package.Results: Serum level of iron metabolism markers, including serum iron, ferritin, unsaturated transferrin iron binding capacity (UIBC), Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) levels, in CAD groups was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.001). UIBC and TIBC were negatively correlated with ferritin in both sexes. Serum level of iron (OR=0.806, 95% CI (0.687-0.944), UIBC (OR=0.919, 95% CI (0.852-0.992), and TIBC (OR=0.864, 95% CI (0.787-0.95) were found to have a protective role for CAD in women (P<0.05, Table 3). The OR for ferritin was significant in the both sexes (OR=1.029, 95% CI (1.002-1.058) in men, OR=1.02, 95% CI (1.005-1.034) in women, P<0.05). Conclusion: Low Serum level of iron, UIBC, TIBC and ferritin levels were found to have a protective role for CAD in women, but not in men. Elevated serum ferritin is independently and positively associated with CAD in men and women.