Hypercholesterolemia and prostate cancer: a hospital-based case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
High levels of serum cholesterol have been proposed to increase the risk of prostate cancer but the epidemiologic evidence is limited.


METHODS
We conducted a hospital-based case-control study in Fargo, ND, USA, to examine the association between hypercholesterolemia and prostate cancer. Cases were men with incident, histologically confirmed prostate cancer. Controls were men without clinical cancer who were seen at the same hospital for an annual physical exam. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from patients' medical charts.


RESULTS
From a patient population aged 50 to 74 years old, we obtained data on 312 White cases and 319 White controls. Hypercholesterolemia was defined as total cholesterol greater than 5.17 (mmol/l). Univariate logistic regression showed a significant association between hypercholesterolemia and prostate cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19-2.27). This association changed only slightly after adjustment for age, family history of prostate cancer, body mass index, type 2 diabetes, smoking, and multivitamin use (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.11-2.24). A significant association was found between low HDL and prostate cancer (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.04-2.36). High LDL was associated with a 60% increased risk for prostate cancer (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.09-2.34). Compared to never smokers, current smokers had an 84% increased risk for prostate cancer (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.09-3.13).


CONCLUSIONS
This study adds to recent evidence that hypercholesterolemia may increase the risk of prostate cancer in white men.
Magura
Lindsay
L
School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58102, USA.
Blanchard
Richelle
R
Hope
Brian
B
Beal
James R
JR
Schwartz
Gary G
GG
Sahmoun
Abe E
AE
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D005192:Family Health; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014815:Vitamins