Correlation of Serum Ferritin Levels with Liver Iron Overload on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Thalassemia Major Patients

Correlation of Serum Ferritin Levels with Liver Iron Overload on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Blood transfusions are often necessary for people with thalassemia major, which causes iron buildup in critical organs. Objectives: To determine the correlation between Serum Ferritin and MRI-based liver iron levels. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 101 beta thalassemia major patients visiting Shahida Islam Medical College and Hospital, Lodhran, in-between July 2024 to December 2024 using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Patients of Beta thalassemia major older than 15 years and dependent on blood transfusions were included in the study. Patients having any cardiac disease (valvular or congenital) or with any ongoing infection were excluded from the study. Patients who did not follow up regularly and did not consume chelation were also excluded. The association between serum ferritin concentrations and hepatic iron levels measured by T2 MRI was assessed using Spearman’s correlation, with a p-value below 0.05 considered significant. Results: In this study of 101 thalassemia major patients, serum ferritin levels showed a significant negative correlation with liver iron overload measured by MRI (r=-0.25, p=0.03). Moderate hepatic iron overload was the most common finding (41.58%). Serum ferritin and AST levels increased significantly with worsening iron burden, while other liver function parameters showed no significant variation across groups. MRI proved more reliable than serum ferritin alone for assessing hepatic iron load. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a significant correlation between serum ferritin levels and hepatic iron overload evaluated through T2-weighted MRI in thalassemia major patients.