Serum ferritin is not associated with extracranial carotid arterial disease in older patients

Purpose: A prospective study investigated the association of serum ferritin with 40% to 100% extracranial carotid arterial disease (ECAD) in older patients. Methods: Serum ferritin levels and technically adequate bilateral carotid duplex ultrasonograms were obtained in 236 men, mean age 80±8 years, and in 568 women, mean age 81±9 years. Results: Forty to 100% ECAD was diagnosed by carotid duplex ultrasonography in 46 of 236 men (19%) and in 83 of 568 women (15%) (p not significant). Increased serum ferritin (>282 ng/ml in men) occurred in 3 of 46 men (7%) with ECAD and in 15 of 190 men (8%) without ECAD (p not significant). Increased serum ferritin (>219 ng/ml in women) occurred in 9 of 83 women (11%) with ECAD and in 50 of 485 women (10%) without ECAD (p not significant). Mean serum ferritin was 143±91 ng/ml in men with ECAD and 151±118 ng/ml in men without ECAD (p not significant). Mean serum ferritin was 128±88 ng/ml in women with ECAD andl33±109 ng/ml in women without ECAD (p not significant). Conclusions: These data show that serum ferritin is not associated with ECAD in older men or women. Clinical Implications: Serum ferritin is not a risk factor for ECAD in older men or women.