ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN SERUM FERRITIN AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS IN HEALTHY-YOUNG MEN - A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: This study examines the association between serum ferritin levels and cardiovascular risk factors. Design: The data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey designed to assess the nutrition situat ion, with special reference to cardiovascular risk factors. Subjects a nd setting: The study population was 337 healthy men, median age 38 ye ars (range 21-59), working at oil platforms in the North Sea. Results: The associations between serum ferritin, risk factor levels and anthr opometric measurements were analysed by age-adjusted partial correlati ons, step-wise multiple regression, and one-way ANOVA analysis. Body m ass index and waist-to-thigh ratio were the strongest predictors for s erum ferritin when controlling for age (P < 0.001). In multiple regres sion analysis, when anthropometric measurements were excluded, fibrino gen, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and diastolic blood pr essure were significant predictors for serum ferritin levels when cont rolling for age (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in tri glyceride concentration between those with low stores of iron and thos e with high stores (P = 0.006). There were consistently higher levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, diastolic and systoli c blood pressure, except for HDL where it was reversed, in the highest quartile of serum ferritin levels compared to the lowest. For all the variables the differences between the quartiles of serum ferritin wer e significant. Conclusion: These findings support the hypothesis that the associations between cardiovascular arteriosclerotic disease and s erum ferritin are at least partially caused by confounding. Sponsorshi p: The project was supported by the Norwegian State Oil Company (STATO IL), Amoco Norway Oil Company and Ross Offshore AS.