1.Ferritin and Soluble Transferrin Receptors in Type 2 Diabetic and Non-diabetic Post-menopausal Women in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Md Ruhul A ; Sharmin H ; Luthfor A ; Farzana S ; Liaquat A
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2010;16(3):369-377
This cross-sectional comparative study was aimed at investigating the iron status of a group of post-menopausal women with and without diabetes. Thirty-five
post-menopausal women in each group were selected purposively from among patients attending the out-patient department of Bangladesh Institute of Research
and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM), a specialist hospital, and two of its satellite clinics, all in Dhaka. Patients were
enrolled based on their existing records. The subjects were matched on age, menstrual status and fasting status at blood draw. Ferritin, serum soluble
transferrin receptors (sTfR) and fasting plasma glucose were measured by standard methods. Dietary information was collected by a specific food frequency
questionnaire. No significant difference in plasma ferritin [62.02 ng/ml, (range:4.68-288.89) vs 54.25 ng/ml (range: 4.58-137.17); p=0.28] was observed between
the groups. But a higher level of plasma sTfR was found in diabetic women [(21.12 nmol/l (range: 7.91-39.79) vs 17.63 nmol/l (range: 10.30-110.00); p<0.01].
TFR-F index showed no difference between diabetic and control (p=0.25). Significantly a lower hemoglobin level [10.58±0.67 g/dl vs11.76±1.5 g/dl; p<0.01]
was detected in diabetic women. Plasma sTfR (log) did not show any significant association with the dietary parameters and iron indices. No significant
association between fasting glucose, ferritin and sTfR was seen except for haemoglobin (r=0.39, p=0.05). Total iron intake recorded was more than the
requirement, and was significantly higher in control group [38.11mg/day (range: 19.83-105.63) vs 56.65 mg/day (range: 29.75-109.54); p<0.01)]. More than 97 % of
total iron was of plant origin. No differences in heme iron [0.85 mg/day (range:0.09-4.07) vs. 0.96 mg/day (range: 0.04-4.34), p= 0.17] and vitamin C intake was
observed between the groups. Iron indices of non-diabetic women were within the normal range. A higher level of sTfR and a lower level of hemoglobin in diabetic cases is suggestive of iron deficiency anaemia rather than iron overload.