Impact of ferritin level on testicular size in hemodialysis patients

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is common among ESRD patients on regular hemodialysis. Upon that erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and iron supplementation are essential. Being a good marker that reflect body iron stores, ferritin is used to evaluate the iron overload status to monitor iron therapy in chronic kidney disease patients.Aim of work: To determine the effect of ferritin level on the testicular size in ESRD patients on regular hemodialysis.Patients and Methods: We recruited 150 male ESRD on regular HD three times per week divided into 3 groups according to hemodialysis duration (group A: those on HD for at least 3 years, group B: those on HD for at least 6 years and group C: those on HD for at least 9 years) and 50 healthy controls. Scrotal ultrasound to assess testicular volume and ferritin level as a part of iron profile were done.Results: Our study demonstrates that the testicular size was inversely correlated to ferritin level and duration of hemodialysis in the 3 HD groups when compared to controls (p-value: <0.0001).Conclusion: ferritin level can be used as a diagnostic test to predict the testicular volume with sensitivity 91% and specificity 97% (p-value: <0.0001).