Association of markers of insulin and glucose control with subsequent colorectal cancer risk.
We evaluated the association of plasma insulin and other markers of insulin and glucose control with subsequent colorectal cancer. Incident colon (n = 132) and rectal (n = 41) cancer cases and matched controls (n = 346) were identified between baseline in 1989 and 2000 among participants in a community-based cohort in Washington County, Maryland. Circulating markers of insulin and glucose control were measured in baseline blood samples. Body mass index (BMI) and use of medications to treat diabetes mellitus were self-reported at baseline. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate matched odds ratios (ORs). Compared with the lowest fourth, participants with insulin concentrations in the highest fourth were not at an increased risk of colorectal cancer [OR, 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45-1.35; P(trend) = 0.24]. Similarly, no associations were observed for the ratio of total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1. However, those in the highest fourth of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) level had a slightly increased risk of colorectal cancer (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.94-2.60; P(trend) = 0.02). The OR of colorectal cancer was 1.70 (95% CI, 1.01-2.86; P(trend) = 0.08) comparing BMI >/=30 kg/m(2) to <25 kg/m(2). The OR of colorectal cancer was 2.43 (95% CI, 1.10-5.38) for the use of medications to treat diabetes. The associations of higher HbA(1c), higher BMI, and the use of medications to treat diabetes, with colorectal cancer lend support to the hypothesis that perturbations in insulin and glucose control may influence colorectal carcinogenesis. It is possible that HbA(1c), BMI, and the use of medications to treat diabetes, as a surrogate for protracted or severe type 2 diabetes mellitus, may have been better time-averaged indicators of hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia than the plasma markers that were measured once prediagnostically in a nonfasting population.
Saydah
Sharon H
SH
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Platz
Elizabeth A
EA
Rifai
Nader
N
Pollak
Michael N
MN
Brancati
Frederick L
FL
Helzlsouer
Kathy J
KJ
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D002784:Cholesterol; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D014280:Triglycerides