AUTHOR=Zhu Shiyu , Liu Chang , Zhao Chengchen , Chen Guanzhong , Meng Simin , Hong Ma , Xiang Meixiang , Xie Yao 

TITLE=Increased Serum Soluble Transferrin Receptor Levels Were Associated With High Prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases: Insights From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–2018

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2022.874846

DOI=10.3389/fcell.2022.874846

ISSN=2296-634X

ABSTRACT=Background:
Iron deficiency is common in cardiovascular diseases (CVD), e.g. heart failure and coronary heart disease. Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is a promising marker representing unmet cellular iron demands. However, whether higher serum sTfR is associated with increased risk of CVDs needs further investigation.
Methods:
In the present cross-sectional study, we analyzed data of 4,867 adult participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018. Linear regression models were employed to identify possible correlations between sTfR and other characteristics. The association between sTfR and CVDs was assessed with univariable and multivariable logistics regression models.
Results:
The prevalence of CVDs was 9.5% among participants, and higher sTfR levels were found in participants with CVDs (p<0.001). Linear regression models revealed positive associations between sTfR and age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, glycated hemoglobulin A1c, and insulin resistance (all p<0.001). In the multivariable logistics regression model, the adjusted odds ratio of sTfR for CVDs was 2.05 (per 1 log2 mg/L, 95% confidence interval: 1.03~4.05, p=0.046). Further subgroup analysis identified the associations of sTfR and CVDs were only significant in participants ≥60 years old, or with hypertension (all p<0.05).
Conclusion:
Our study demonstrated that increased serum sTfR levels were associated with a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.