The metabolic syndrome as a risk factor for colorectal cancer

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the prognostic significance of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) using various MS criteria in Novosibirsk population. Materials and Methods. The study was designed as nested «case-control». Baseline population cohort (9360 men, women aged 45–69) was examined in the HAPIEE project and followed-up during 11 years. The “cases” included all subjects, who had CRC during 11-year follow-up according to the Register of Cancer (n=99, M-52, M-47). The matched control group (2/1) was selected from HAPIEE cohort (n=198, m-104, w-94). The prospective study of CRC was supported by RSF. MS criteria were determined in accordance to VNOK (2009), IDF (2005), NCEP ATP III (2001). Statistical package SPSS v.11.0 was used. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between MS and risk of CRC. Results. Women with glucose levels ≥6.1 mmol/l had 3 times higher 11-year risk of CRC then those with glucose <6.1 mmol/l (OR=3.11; 95%CI:1.23–7.87, VNOK, 2009; OR=3.20; 95%CI:1.27–8.08, NCEP ATP III, 2001). Blood pressure (BP) ≥130/85 mmHg was associated with decreased risk of CRC in women and in both sexes, but the relationship became insignificant after controlling for antihypertensive treatment. Other components of the MS were not significantly associated with CRC risk. Conclusions. In studied sample the 11-year risk of developing CRC was significantly increased in women with elevated glucose levels. The negative relationship between elevated BP and the risk of CRC in women and both sexes became insignificant when adjusted for antihypertensive treatment; this finding requires further exploration.

Keywords

• metabolic syndrome
• colorectal cancer
• the components of the metabolic syndrome
• colon and rectum cancer