Introduction: The metabolic syndrome (Syndrome X) consists of a group of metabolic abnormalities that confer increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Major features of metabolic syndrome include central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low High Density Cholesterol, hyperglycemia and hypertension.

Aim: The aim of the study is to explore the association between serum ferritin level and metabolic syndrome.

Materials and Methods: A total of 210 subjects between the age group 30-60 years were taken for the study. Patients of metabolic syndrome i.e. subjects were diagnosed on the basis of NCEP ATP III criteria. Evaluation of cases and controls was carried out covering four aspects- clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and nutritional. Venous blood samples were collected after a 12 hour fasting period into heparin, citrate and anticoagulant free BD vacutainer tubes. Serum concentration of ferritin were estimated by using micro ELISA test kits. Cases and controls were compared using Chi-square test and unpaired students test and p values were calculated.

Result: Significant relationship was observed between serum ferritin level and components of metabolic syndrome. There was a strong correlation between serum ferritin levels and metabolic syndrome with a p value <0.001. Individual components of the metabolic syndrome also showed positive association with the serum ferritin levels (p value <0.001).

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Dr Arun Kumar

Medical Officier District Hospital, Jhansi, UP, India