A Randomized Study to Evaluate the Serum Iron and Ferritin Levels in Relation with Cholelithiasis

1 Physician, Sub-District Hospital Hiranagar, Kathua, J&K, India 2 Lecturer, Department of Biochemistry, GMC Jammu, J&K, India 3 PG, Department of Surgery, GMC Jammu, J&K, India *Corresponding Author Ashima Badyal Email: badyal.ashima@gmail.com Abstract Gallstone disease is a common clinical entity affecting the adult population of both genders. It has been studied that iron deficiency results in altered mobility of gall bladder, leading to increased cholesterol crystal formation in the gall bladder bile. The study was conducted in the department of biochemistry & department of surgery/medicine, GMC Jammu. 100 Patients within the age group of 15 – 70 years, suffering from gall stone confirmed by ultrasonography, were included as cases. There were more females in this group (79%). The age group of 30-39 showed the maximum prevalence of gallstone disease. In females, the serum ferritin was low in 38.0% cases and 23.1% controls respectively. Further, this study also revealed that low iron and low ferritin, combined for 18% of cases while Iron normal and ferritin normal, combined, for 50% of cases, which was significant (p<0.05). The study further found that patients who had gallstones in the age group of 30-39 had low serum iron 33% and low serum ferritin 35%, which was significant for females of age group: 30-39 years. Iron deficiency has been shown to alter the activity of several hepatic enzymes, leading to increases gall bladder’s bile cholesterol saturation and promotion of cholesterol crystal formation, playing a significant role in gallstone pathogenesis. This gender related difference showing more prevalence of cholelithiasis in females could be linked to pregnancy and female sex hormones along with iron deficiency. A considerable no of people falling in age group of 30-49 years, particularly females, show low total body iron as well as, increased risk of cholelithiasis, because of low body stores of iron. Patients above 30 years age should be screened for serum iron and serum ferritin to diagnose their progression towards severe iron deficiency and as an early marker for gallstone disease.