The Relation between Iron and Vitamin B12 Status with Coronary Artery Disease

Aims: To investigate the association of iron and vitamin B12 status with coronary artery disease in Gaza city.

Study Design: A Case control study

Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected from the cardiac unit at Al-Shifa hospital, Gaza Strip.

Methodology: Case-control study was conducted on a sample of 31 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 27 apparently healthy controls aged between 30-60 years. Interviewed questionnaire was conducted among the study population. Vitamin B12, serum ferritin, serum iron, lipid profile parameters, and high sensitivity C reactive protein were performed. An approval was acquired from Helsinki ethical committee to perform this study. All data were analyzed by SPSS.

Results: The results showed that the mean level of serum iron in cases (71.6 ± 24.7 µg/dl) was lower compared to that of controls (87.3 ± 28.4 µg/dl) and the difference was statistically significant (P=.028). Moreover, transferrin saturation percentage in cases (24.0 ± 8.9%) was lower compared to controls (29.0 ± 9.9%) and the difference was statistically significant (P=.045). In addition, the mean levels of serum vitamin B12 in cases (238.8 ± 51.4 pg‎/dl) was lower compared to controls (337.3± 108.4 pg‎/dl) and was statistically significant (P<0.001). The Pearson correlation test showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the level of serum iron with the level of vitamin B12 among the participants (r = 0.28, P=.032).

Conclusion: The mean differences of transferrin saturation, serum ferritin, and vitamin B12 between cases and controls were statistically significant. The mean levels of serum vitamin B12 in cases was lower compared to controls and was statistically significant.