DefinePK

Research Objective

To analyze the impact of age and gender on iron stores in a population of the Nowshera region.

Methodology

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex, Nowshera, from January 10, 2019, to December 31, 2019. A sample size of 258 was calculated using Open-epi software. Serum ferritin levels were measured using electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay on a Roche Cobas E411 Chemistry Analyzer. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Mann Whitney U test and Chi-square test.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Study Design: Cross-sectional"];
    B["Data Collection: Serum Ferritin Measurement"];
    C["Sample: 258 Participants"];
    D["Statistical Analysis: SPSS v25, Mann Whitney U, Chi-square"];
    E["Analysis of Age and Gender Impact"];
    F["Key Findings: Gender Difference in Iron Stores"];
    G["Conclusion: Females at Higher Risk"];                    

Discussion

Serum ferritin is a cost-effective indirect measure of iron stores. The study found a skewed distribution of ferritin levels, with a majority of participants (55%) having levels below 15 ng/ml, indicating iron deficiency. Females exhibited significantly lower median ferritin levels than males, suggesting a higher prevalence of iron deficiency in this gender group. While the study found no significant age-related differences in iron stores, previous research highlights the importance of iron status in pregnancy and childhood.

Key Findings

Out of 258 participants, 70 (27.1%) were males and 188 (77.9%) were females. The median ferritin level was 12.8 ng/ml. A significant gender-based difference in median ferritin levels was observed (p=0.03), with females having 1.5 times more probability of low iron stores compared to males (OR=1.5). No statistically significant difference in body iron stores was found across different age groups. 142 (55%) of cases had serum ferritin less than 15 ng/ml.

Conclusion

There is a significant difference in iron stores between genders in the Nowshera population, with females being at a higher risk of depleted iron stores. Serum ferritin is a reliable predictor for diagnosing iron deficiency anemia. It is recommended that females attending antenatal care services with low hemoglobin levels be screened for serum ferritin to prevent adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes associated with iron deficiency.

Fact Check

* Sample Size: The study included a total of 258 participants.
* Prevalence of Low Iron Stores: 142 out of 258 participants (55%) had serum ferritin levels less than 15 ng/ml.
* Gender Difference in Iron Stores: A statistically significant difference (p=0.03) was observed in median ferritin levels between genders, with females having a higher probability of low iron stores.

Mind Map