Iron metabolism and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis and systematic review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#aged #case-control-studies #cohort-studies #diabetes-mellitus-type-2 #female

Iron metabolism and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis and systematic review

Liu et al., 2020 | J Diabetes Investig | Meta Analysis

Citation

Liu Jingfang, Li Qingxiu, ... Ma Lihua. Iron metabolism and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis and systematic review. J Diabetes Investig. 2020-Jul;11(4):946-955. doi:10.1111/jdi.13216

Abstract

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Iron metabolism can directly or indirectly affect the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetes. This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to analyze the association between serum iron metabolism indicators and type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The databases PubMed and Embase were searched for studies on the correlations between serum iron metabolism indicators (iron, ferritin, transferrin, hepcidin and soluble transferrin receptor) and type 2 diabetes since January 2006. Relevant data were extracted from the included studies, and meta-analysis was carried out. RESULTS: A total of 12 case-control and cohort studies were analyzed. Of the 12 studies, 11 described the correlation between serum ferritin levels and type 2 diabetes. The median and high serum ferritin concentrations were significantly associated with the risks of type 2 diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.33 and OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.29-1.59, respectively). However, the low concentration was not correlated with the risk of type 2 diabetes (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.89-1.11). No significant association was observed between serum soluble transferrin receptor and type 2 diabetes, whereas the soluble transferrin receptor-to-ferritin ratio was significantly inversely related to the risk of type 2 diabetes in the median and high ratio subgroups (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51, 0.99 and OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45-0.95). CONCLUSIONS: The elevated serum ferritin was one of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes, and soluble transferrin receptor-to-ferritin ratio was inversely related to the risk of type 2 diabetes. A systematic review showed that serum transferrin and hepcidin might be directly or indirectly related to the development of diabetes.

Key Findings

A total of 12 case-control and cohort studies were analyzed. Of the 12 studies, 11 described the correlation between serum ferritin levels and type 2 diabetes. The median and high serum ferritin concentrations were significantly associated with the risks of type 2 diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.33 and OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.29-1.59, respectively). However, the low concentration was not correlated with the risk of type 2 diabetes (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.89-1.11). No sig

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 12
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Female
  • Ferritins
  • Hepcidins
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Receptors, Transferrin
  • Risk Factors

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: iron

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09