Erythroferrone in β-thalassemia: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Clin Chim ActaJun 12, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchHematology
Muhammad Saboor, Khaled Abass
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated erythroferrone (ERFE) levels in patients with β-thalassemia, analyzing data from 13 studies involving 975 patients. The analysis revealed a large pooled effect size of g = 2.700, indicating significantly elevated ERFE levels in β-thalassemia compared to controls. Additionally, a significant inverse correlation between ERFE and hepcidin was found.
Key findings
- Pooled effect size for ERFE in β-thalassemia was g = 2.700 (95%CI: 0.906-4.495; p = 0.003).
- Significant inverse correlation between ERFE and hepcidin (r = -0.342; p < 0.001).
- Positive correlation between ERFE and ferritin (r = +0.439; p = 0.0002).
- Weighted pooled AUC for ERFE in ROC analyses was 0.872.
Why it matters
Understanding the role of erythroferrone in β-thalassemia could enhance diagnostic accuracy and inform treatment strategies. Elevated ERFE levels may serve as a biomarker for ineffective erythropoiesis, potentially guiding clinical decision-making.