Sex hormone profile and endometrial cancer risk in primary biliary cirrhosis: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the sex hormone profile and endometrial histology in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).


METHODS
A prospective case-control study. Twenty-two females with PBC and 22 sex- and age-matched healthy controls underwent complete gynaecological examination including endometrial biopsy and a sex hormone serological profile including: oestrone, 17-beta oestradiol, testosterone, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) and sex hormone binding protein (SHBG). The sex hormone profile was evaluated with respect to the body mass index (BMI), anthropometric measurements and endometrial histological/cytological patterns in each case. Statistical analysis was done with the chi-squared method, Student's t-test for unpaired data, linear regression analysis, Spearman's rank correlation test and stepwise multiple regression analysis.


RESULTS
The BMI was comparable in the two groups, while PBC cases had significantly smaller subscapular, waist, bicipital, tricipital and calf fold measurements than controls. Testosterone serum levels were significantly lower in PBC cases than in controls (0.9+/-0.6 versus 1.4+/-0.7 mmol/l, P<0.03), whereas SHBG was significantly higher than in controls (88.6+/-72.1 versus 63.6+/-27.6, P<0.005). No significant differences between the two groups were found for oestrone, 17-beta oestradiol, DHEA-S, and progesterone levels. No difference patterns were observed in endometrial histological/cytological patterns. Multiple regression analysis identified SHBG as an independent variable associated with PBC.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in sex hormone profile are secondary to hepatic dysfunction in PBC. Females with PBC do not appear to carry a higher risk of endometrial cancer.
Floreani
Annarosa
A
Division of Gastroenterologia, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy. annarosa.floreani@unipd.it
Paternoster
Delia
D
Mega
Andrea
A
Farinati
Fabio
F
Plebani
Mario
M
Baldo
Vincenzo
V
Grella
Pasquale
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin