Evaluating the association of serum ferritin and hepatic iron with disease severity in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background & Aims Hyperferritinemia, with or without increased hepatic iron, represents a common finding in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, it is unclear whether it reflects hepatic inflammation or true iron‐overload and, in case the latter is confirmed, whether this influences disease progression. We therefore explored the association between serum ferritin, degree and pattern of hepatic iron deposition and liver disease severity in patients with NAFLD. Methods We selected 468 patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD from 2 European centres. Iron, hepatic and metabolic parameters were collected at the time of liver biopsy. Iron deposits in hepatocytes and reticuloendothelial c…