Influence of iron on the severity of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Table 3 Univariate analysis of demographic and laboratory data in relation to hepatic iron stain

Variable	Positive hepaticiron stain (n = 4)	Negative hepaticiron stain (n = 28)	P
Age (yr)	52.50 ± 9.04	57.04 ± 11.19	0.446
Sex (male:female)	3 : 1	12 : 16	0.319
AST (IU/L)	141.50 ± 99.94	100.32 ± 47.89	0.473
ALT (IU/L)	275.00 ± 172.18	147.04 ± 82.23	0.017
Iron (μg/dL)	210.50 ± 45.11	146.20 ± 36.55	0.019
Transferrin saturation (%)	62.34 ± 10.71	40.64 ± 8.80	0.003
Ferritin (ng/mL)	591.23 ± 119.70	243.19 ± 184.65	0.008

Data are expressed as mean ± SD. AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase. Transferrin saturation was calculated as (the serum iron divided by the TIBC) × 100%.