Distinct hepcidin patterns in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: links to iron homeostasis and inflammatory activity

Ferritin showed the strongest association with hepcidin across IBD, but regulation differed by disease. In UC, lower hepcidin levels were associated with intestinal inflammatory activity measured by fecal calprotectin, whereas in CD, higher hepcidin levels were associated with systemic inflammation despite iron deficiency. These findings highlight hepcidin's potential as a biomarker linking iron status and inflammatory type in IBD.