Assessing Serum Iron and Ferritin Levels in Relation to Smoking Status among Jordanian Adults

Background: Balanced iron and ferritin levels are essential for many biological functions; unfortunately, smoking may disrupt these levels. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between smoking status with serum iron/ferritin levels among Jordanian adults. Method: Participants were classified as active, passive, or non-smokers. Blood samples were analyzed to measure serum iron and ferritin levels. Statistical tests assessed differences in these levels among smoking groups. Results: The study included 247 participants (25-64 years old). Active and passive smokers exhibited higher median iron/ferritin levels compared to non-smokers. But these differences were not statistically significant (iron: p=0.128, ferritin: p=0.841). No significant correlation was found between smoking intensity and iron/ferritin levels. However, smoking duration was significantly associated with the proportion of participants with non-optimal iron (p=0.045) and ferritin levels (p=0.012). After adjusting for gender, smoking status alone did not independently explain differences in iron/ferritin levels. Conclusion: No significant association was found between smoking status and serum iron/ferritin levels, although smokers had the highest median levels. This study provides some region-specific biochemical evidence linking smoking exposure with iron regulation among Jordanian adults. Keywords: Iron, Ferritin, Active, Passive, Smokers, Non-Smokers, Jordan