Serum Iron profile in Female patients of Melasma: A case control study

Background: Melasma is a common acquired pigmentary dermatosis characterized by presence of symmetric, hyperpigmented patches, most commonly seen on the face. It is most commonly seen in young to middle aged females. The exact cause of melasma is not known, however a number of factors have been implicated in its etiopathogenesis. The effect of body iron stores on melasma is not exactly known. Although iron overload has been seen to affect skin pigmentation, effect of low body iron stores on skin pigmentation is unknown. In this study, we evaluated total body iron stores by assessing serum iron , ferritin and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) level among nonpregnant females with and without melasma. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional case control study was conducted in 2016 at Department of Dermatology, Government Medical College, Jammu for a period of one year. The study comprised of 70 non pregnant females with and without melasma . Serum iron level, TIBC and ferritin in the two groups were measured and compared. The severity of melasma was assessed on the basis of MASI score. The correlation between severity of melasma and derangements in iron profile were also assessed in the study.Results: Comparison of serum Iron levels in cases and controls showed lower levels in patients of melasma(58.84± 29.17) as compared to control population (82.26± 45.83) ;p<0.001. Serum ferritin levels were found to be lower in patients of melasma (20.06±18.64) as compared tp control population(42.29±30.08);p<0.001.Comparison of serum TIBC between cases and controls showed higher values in cases(424±58 98.33) compared to control population (384.45± 74.55) p<0.007.Also a positive correlation was found between severity of melasma as per MASI score and derangement in Iron profile. Conclusion: Serum Iron, ferritin levels were found to be significantly lower in patients of melasma compared to the control population whereas Total iron binding capacity(TIBC) was found to be higher in patients of melasma compared to the control population indicating low body iron storesin patients of melasma. The severity of maelasma as per MASI score correlated well with the derangements in iron profile. Hence patients with melasma had low body Iron stores compared to control population indicating a possible role of iron deficiencyin the etiopathogenesis of melasma