Iron status in Danes updated 1994. I: Prevalence of iron deficiency and iron overload in 1332 men aged 40-70 years. Influence of blood donation, alcohol intake, and iron supplementation

Iron status, S-ferritin, and hemoglobin (Hb) were assessed in a population survey in 1994 (DAN-MONICA 10) comprising 1332 Caucasian Danish men equally distributed in age cohorts of 40, 50, 60 and 70 years. Blood donors (n=186 ) had lower S-ferritin, median 76 mu g/l, than nondonors, median 169 mu g/l (p<0.0001). S-ferritin in donors was inversely correlated with the number of phlebotomies (r(s)=-0.57, p < 0.0001). S-ferritin in nondonors (n = 1146 ) was similar in men 40-60 years of age, median 176 mu g/l, and subsequentl y decreased at 70 years of age to a median of 146 mu g/l (p=0.01). In the e ntire series, the prevalence of small iron stores (S-ferritin 16-32 mu g/l) was 2.7%, that of depleted iron stores (S-ferritin < 16 mu g/l) 0.45%, and that of iron deficiency anemia (S-ferritin <13 mu g/l and Hb < 129 g/l) 0. 15%. Among nondonors, the prevalence of iron overload (S-ferritin >300 mu g /l) was 20%. S-ferritin in nondonors correlated with body mass index (r(s)= 0.19, p=0.0001) and with alcohol intake (r(s) =0.26, p =0.0001). In the ent ire series, 28% of the subjects took supplemental iron (median 14 mg ferrou s iron daily). Iron supplements had no influence on iron status. Nondonors (n = 170) treated with acetylsalicylic acid had lower S-ferritin, median 13 6 mu g/l, than nontreated, median 169 mu g/l (p<0.001) and those treated wi th H-2-receptor antagonists (n = 30) had lower S-ferritin, median 142 mu g/ l, than nontreated, median 171 mu g/l (p<0.04). Compared with the DAN-MONIC A 1 iron status survey of Danish men in 1984, the prevalences of iron deple tion and iron deficiency anemia are unchanged whereas the prevalence of iro n overload has increased significantly. In Denmark, iron fortification of f lour was abolished in 1987. This apparently had no negative effect on iron status in men.