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Ferritin and transferrin saturation cannot be used to diagnose iron-deficiency anemia in critically ill patients
Affiliations- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
open access
Abstract
Abstract Introduction: Iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common anaemia globally. The frequency of IDA among critically ill patients is not known. The aim of our study was to analyse performance of standard iron metabolism parameters in diagnosis of IDA in the critically ill. Material and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive anaemic patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Based on various cut-off values for ferritin and/or transferrin saturation (TfS), we determined the incidence of IDA. Results: The population consisted of 27 (53%) men and 24 (47%) women. The median haemoglobin concentration was well 96 [interquartile range (IQR 87–109)] g/L. The studied population had markedly increased concentration of C-reactive protein [119 (IQR 44–196) mg/L], ferritin [686 (385–1114) µg/L], whereas iron concentration and TfS were below reference value. Depending on cut-off value chosen, IDA could be diagnosed in between 7.8 (ferritin < 100 µg/L +TfS < 20%) and 56.9 % (TfS < 20%) of patients. Conclusions: Ferritin and transferrin saturation cannot be used for precise diagnosis of IDA caused by absolute or functional iron deficiency in the critically ill.
Abstract
Abstract Introduction: Iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common anaemia globally. The frequency of IDA among critically ill patients is not known. The aim of our study was to analyse performance of standard iron metabolism parameters in diagnosis of IDA in the critically ill. Material and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive anaemic patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Based on various cut-off values for ferritin and/or transferrin saturation (TfS), we determined the incidence of IDA. Results: The population consisted of 27 (53%) men and 24 (47%) women. The median haemoglobin concentration was well 96 [interquartile range (IQR 87–109)] g/L. The studied population had markedly increased concentration of C-reactive protein [119 (IQR 44–196) mg/L], ferritin [686 (385–1114) µg/L], whereas iron concentration and TfS were below reference value. Depending on cut-off value chosen, IDA could be diagnosed in between 7.8 (ferritin < 100 µg/L +TfS < 20%) and 56.9 % (TfS < 20%) of patients. Conclusions: Ferritin and transferrin saturation cannot be used for precise diagnosis of IDA caused by absolute or functional iron deficiency in the critically ill.
Keywords
ferritin, intensive care unit, iron-deficiency anaemia, transferrin saturation
About this articleTitle
Ferritin and transferrin saturation cannot be used to diagnose iron-deficiency anemia in critically ill patients
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original research article
Pages
566-570
Page views
3780
Article views/downloads
302
DOI
10.5603/AHP.2021.0091
Bibliographic record
Acta Haematol Pol 2021;52(6):566-570.
Keywords
ferritin
intensive care unit
iron-deficiency anaemia
transferrin saturation
Authors
Piotr F. Czempik
Michał P. Pluta
Łukasz J. Krzych
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