Prevalence and Characteristics of Metabolic Hyperferritinemia in a Population-Based Central-European Cohort

Abstract

Background: Hyperferritinemia (HF) is a common finding and can be considered as metabolic HF (MHF) in combination with metabolic diseases. The definition of MHF was heterogenous until a consensus statement was published recently. Our aim was to apply the definition of MHF to provide data on the prevalence and characteristics of MHF in a Central-European cohort. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of the Paracelsus 10,000 study, a population-based cohort study from the region of Salzburg, Austria. We included 8408 participants, aged 40–77. Participants with HF were divided into three categories according to their level of HF and evaluated for metabolic co-morbidities defined by the proposed criteria for MHF. Results: HF was present in 13% (n = 1111) with a clear male preponderance (n = 771, 69% of HF). Within the HF group, 81% (n = 901) of subjects fulfilled the metabolic criteria and were defined as MHF, of which 75% (n = 674) were characterized by a major criterion. In the remaining HF cohort, 52% (n = 227 of 437) of subjects were classified as MHF after application of the minor criteria. Conclusion: HF is a common finding in the general middle-aged population and the majority of cases are classified as MHF. The new classification provides useful criteria for defining MHF.