Metabolic Syndrome Linked to Increased Lung Cancer Risk

In a recent study conducted within the UK Biobank, Mengmeng Li and team unveiled a significant association between Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and an increased risk of developing lung cancer. This revelation comes at a time when both lung cancer incidence and MetS prevalence are on the rise globally. The outcomes were published in CHEST Journal.

Metabolic Syndrome, characterized by a cluster of health issues including obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels, has long been a subject of interest in health research. However, its connection to lung cancer has remained a topic of debate.

The study, which employed multivariable Cox regression models to analyze data from 331,877 participants, found that of the individuals in the study, 77,173 were diagnosed with MetS at the start. Over a median follow-up period of 10.9 years, 2,425 participants developed lung cancer. The results revealed that MetS was associated with a 21% increased risk of lung cancer overall, with hazard ratios of 1.21. The risk was even higher for specific subtypes of lung cancer, with adenocarcinoma showing a 28% increased risk, and squamous cell carcinoma showing a 16% increased risk.

Furthermore, the study demonstrated that the more MetS-related health issues an individual had, the greater their risk of developing lung cancer. Even those with just one MetS-related disorder had an 11% elevated risk, while those with five or more disorders faced an alarming 40-50% increased risk.

Specific MetS components were also found to be particularly noteworthy. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), elevated waist circumference, and hyperglycemia were associated with increased lung cancer risk. Notably, this link between MetS and lung cancer was more pronounced in women, indicating a gender-specific relationship.

Moreover, the impact of MetS on lung cancer risk was primarily observed among tobacco users, although the effect modification of tobacco use was not statistically significant. 

The study also revealed a nonlinear relationship between lung cancer and certain MetS components, including HDL-C, waist circumference, and glycated hemoglobin.

These findings emphasize the importance of considering metabolic status and markers in lung cancer prevention efforts. By identifying high-risk populations and incorporating MetS management into preventive strategies, healthcare professionals may take substantial steps towards reducing lung cancer cases, a disease with a significant global health impact.

Source:

Li, M., Cao, S.-M., Dimou, N., Wu, L., Li, J.-B., & Yang, J. (2023). Association of Metabolic Syndrome With Risk of Lung Cancer. In CHEST. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2023.08.003