Early Metabolic Syndrome Linked to High Pancreatic Cancer Risk: Lancet

Written By : Jacinthlyn Sylvia |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2023-12-20T06:00:36+05:30 | Updated On 20 Dec 2023 12:50 PM IST

A recent retrospective observational study found compelling evidence of increased incidence of pancreatic cancer associated with the early stages of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The findings of the study were published in Lancet eClinicalMedicine.

This study recruited a staggering 4.6 million Japanese participants in 2005 with rigorous follow up of over a decade. The clinical data, prescribed drug regimens, and the presence of MetS using modified criteria from the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATPIII) were meticulously analyzed. Out of the 2,707,296 subjects without pancreatic cancer at enrollment, 87,857 eventually developed pancreatic cancer during the 40.7-month average follow-up.

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

eClinicalMedicinePancreatic cancer riskEarly Metabolic Syndrome

Source : Lancet eClinicalMedicine

Jacinthlyn Sylvia

Neuroscience Masters graduate

Jacinthlyn Sylvia, a Neuroscience Master's graduate from Chennai has worked extensively in deciphering the neurobiology of cognition and motor control in aging. She also has spread-out exposure to Neurosurgery from her Bachelor’s. She is currently involved in active Neuro-Oncology research. She is an upcoming neuroscientist with a fiery passion for writing. Her news cover at Medical Dialogues feature recent discoveries and updates from the healthcare and biomedical research fields. She can be reached at editorial@medicaldialogues.in

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751