Increased ferritin levels could reflect ongoing aging-associated inflammation and may obscure underlying iron deficiency in the geriatric population

Cankurtaran M., Yavuz B. B., Halil M., Ulger Z., Haznedaroglu I. C., Ariogul S.

EUROPEAN GERIATRIC MEDICINE, vol.3, no.5, pp.277-280, 2012 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 3 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2012
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.eurger.2012.06.005
  • Journal Name: EUROPEAN GERIATRIC MEDICINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.277-280
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background and aim: Ferritin level is decreased in iron deficiency (ID) and increased in inflammation as an acute-phase reacting protein. In the case of inflammation ferritin, level may not decrease even if ID is present. Inflammation is regarded as one of the mechanisms of aging. This subclinical systemic inflammatory state is named as "inflammaging". The aim of this study is to assess whether serum ferritin levels could indicate aging-associated inflammation rather than ID in older adults.