Metabolic Syndrome and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Case-Control Study

Background: Among Middle East countries, the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) dramatically increased in Iran. Very few evidence-based studies have been performed on the relationship between metabolic disorders and colorectal cancer (CRC) in developing countries at least in Iran. Objectives: This case-control study aimed to determine the relationship between MetS and CRC risk. Methods: A case-control study with 414 participants (207 cases and 207 controls) was conducted among referral hospitals (Imam Reza, Shahid Madani, and Sina) in Tabriz, Azerbaijan province, Iran. Cases with CRC confirmed by positive pathology and colonoscopy findings were selected and compared with the controls without neoplastic and chronic diseases at the same time and hospitals for the cases. Group matching was used based on sex and age variables for the case and control groups. MetS was defined by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios for the association between MetS and odds of CRC. Results: Out of 414 participants, 220 (53%) were men. Among the cases, 134 (64.73%) patients had MetS, while in the control group, 82 individuals (39.61) had MetS history. After adjusting for the confounders, MetS and DM history were significantly associated with elevated odds of CRC (OR: 2.79, %95 CI: 1.58 - 5.15, P = 0.001) and (OR: 2.57, %95 CI: 1.25 - 4.58, P = 0.006), respectively. We have observed also a dose-response relation and a trend between the components of MetS and CRC risk. So, the odds of CRC increased by rising numbers of MetS components. Conclusions: It seems that MetS and its components are associated with an increased risk of CRC.