Early Metabolic Syndrome Linked to High Pancreatic Cancer Risk: Lancet

The incidence of pancreatic cancer was markedly higher in the MetS group (4.9%) compared to the non-MetS group (3.0%), with a statistically significant hazard ratio (HR) of 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34–1.39) after adjusting for age, smoking, and sex. Also, with increase in the number of MetS constituent factors from one to five, there was a corresponding rise in the incidence of pancreatic cancer which signify a dose-response relationship.

Also, the study extended its analysis to include pre-metabolic syndrome (pre-MetS) according to Japanese criteria and found a robust link between pre-MetS and the occurrence of pancreatic cancers. The findings strongly suggest a significant association between MetS particularly in its early stages, and the development of pancreatic cancer but, the study falls short in establishing causality.

This extensive study provides robust evidence to affirm the link between metabolic syndrome and pancreatic cancer. The finding that even the early stages of MetS are tightly correlated with pancreatic cancer underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and intervention in individuals exhibiting the metabolic syndrome indicators.

Source:

Miyashita, Y., Hitsumoto, T., Fukuda, H., Kim, J., Ito, S., Kimoto, N., Asakura, K., Yata, Y., Yabumoto, M., Washio, T., & Kitakaze, M. (2024). Metabolic syndrome is linked to the incidence of pancreatic cancer. EClinicalMedicine, 67(102353), 102353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102353