Non-invasive methods for iron overload evaluation in dysmetabolic patients.

Introduction: Although hyperferritinemia may reflect the inflammatory status of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), approximately 33% of hyperferritinemia cases reflect real hepatic iron overload.

Aim: To evaluate a non-invasive method for assessing mild iron overload in patients with NAFLD using 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relaxometry, serum hepcidin, and the expression of ferritin subunits.

Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD.