Metabolic syndrome and its component traits present gender-specific association with liver cancer risk: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background & Aims Little is known on the gender-specific effect and potential role of non-linear associations between metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and liver cancer risk. We evaluated these associations based on the UK Biobank cohort. Methods We included 474,929 individuals without previous cancer based on the UK Biobank cohort. Gender-specific hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) were calculated by Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Non-linear associations for individual MetS components were assessed by the restricted cubic spline method. Results Over a median follow-up of 6.6 years, we observed 276 cases of liver cancer (175 men, 101 women). MetS [HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.27–1.72] and central obesity [HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.18–2.31] were associated with higher risk of liver cancer in men but not in women. Participants with hyperglycaemia has higher risk of liver cancer. High waist circumference and blood glucose were dose-dependently associated with increased liver cancer risk in both genders. For high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (both genders) and blood pressure (women), U-shaped associations were observed. Low HDL cholesterol (< 1.35 mmol/L) in men and high HDL cholesterol in women (> 1.52 mmol/L) were associated with increased liver cancer risk. Conclusions MetS components showed gender-specific linear or U- shaped associations with the risk of liver cancer. Our study might provide evidence for individualized management of MetS for preventing liver cancer.

Acute and Chronic Systemic Inflammation: Features and Differences in the Pathogenesis, and Integral Criteria for Verification and Differentiation

“…Of course, even in these cases there is a need to differentiate ChSI from systemic manifestations of classical inflammation and chronic systemic low-grade inflammation. In turn, a number of studies have shown the pathogenetic role of local and systemic inflammatory processes in the development of the tumor process, such as primary liver cancer [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

Long-term trends in incidence, mortality and disease burden of liver cancer due to specific etiologies in Hubei Province, 1990-2019

“…The ASIR for liver cancer due to other factors remained largely unchanged in the Hubei Province female population, which may be related to the acquisition of risk factors. The gender speci city of hepatocarcinogenesis was revealed in a study on the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components with liver cancer [45]. In a prospective cohort study, the results indicate that the signi cant risk factors associated with an increased incidence of liver cancer in men are central obesity and hyperglycemia [10,45].…”

“…The gender speci city of hepatocarcinogenesis was revealed in a study on the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components with liver cancer [45]. In a prospective cohort study, the results indicate that the signi cant risk factors associated with an increased incidence of liver cancer in men are central obesity and hyperglycemia [10,45]. In studies of sex hormones, higher androgen receptor density is associated with increased visceral fat, which is more important than total obesity in the carcinogenic role of the liver [46,47].…”

Association between metabolic syndrome, C-reactive protein, and the risk of primary liver cancer: a large prospective study

“…Both high WC and high blood glucose are associated with an increased risk of liver cancer. Low HDL cholesterol levels are also associated with an increased risk of liver cancer [ 19 ]. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components have been investigated as risk factors for cancer in previous studies, but the results have been mixed.…”