Serum ferritin and liver enzymes ratio and their agreement with NAFLD severity

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease. NAFLD is characterized by elevated liver enzymes and serum ferritin concentration due to damage and abnormal function of liver cells. Increased level of serum ferritin as a parameter of liver function is commonly observed. The aim of this study was to determine the agreement between serum liver with liver and ferritin echogenicity in NAFLD patients. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 60 NAFLD patients confirmed by ultrasonography in Tabriz. Fasting blood samples were taken for assessment of Alanin aminotransferase, Aspartat aminotransferase and ferritin level. Weight and height were measured. Liver enzymes ratio were estimated and classified into tertile. The mean of serum ferritin was126.34±108.25 ng/ml and was significantly associated with severity of liver echogenisity (p=0.016). Significant relationship was observed between fatty liver severity and ALT/AST ratio (p=0.004) with good agreement (Kappa value= 68.3%) while the ratio of ferritin to liver enzymes was not significantly associated with the severity of NAFLD. This study suggests significant agreement between severity of fatty liver and ferritin and liver enzymes ratio in NAFLD patients but not with the ratio of ferritin to liver enzymes.