RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERUM FERRITIN LEVELS AND LIVER STIFFNESS IN HEPATITIS C PATIENTS

Introduction: Liver fibrosis and its end-stage cirrhosis resulting from chronic liver injury are major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Objectives of the study: The basic aim of the study is to find the relationship between serum ferritin levels and liver stiffness in hepatitis C patients. Methodology of the study: This cross sectional study was conducted in AIMC, Lahore during July 2019 to February 2020. The data was collected from 100 patients. History was taken in detail and thorough examination was performed. After receiving patient in Gastroenterology department, all patients were assessed clinically. Results: The data was collected from 100 patients. Descriptive statistics of age (years) of patient was also calculated in terms of mean and standard deviation. Mean age (years) in the study was 53.74+8.66 with ranges from 20 to 60 years. Effect modifier like age was stratified and compared with frequency low serum ferritin level in patients of decompensated chronic live disease secondary to hepatitis C virus infection. Conclusion: It is concluded that elevated serum ferritin worsened liver injury. Hence it represents early marker for the severity of chronic liver disease, related both to the degree of liver fibrosis and to the necro-inflammatory activity