title: Metabolic syndrome and mammographic density in Mexican women.
abstract: Metabolic syndrome has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer; however, little is known about the association between metabolic syndrome and percent mammographic density, a strong predictor of breast cancer. We analyzed cross-sectional data from 789 premenopausal and 322 postmenopausal women in the Mexican Teacher's Cohort (ESMaestras). Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the harmonized definition. We measured percent density on mammograms using a computer-assisted thresholding method. Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate the association between density and metabolic syndrome, as well as its components by state (Jalisco, Veracruz) and menopausal status (premenopausal, postmenopausal). Among premenopausal women in Jalisco, women with metabolic syndrome had higher percent density than those without after adjusting for potential confounders including BMI [difference = 4.76; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.72-7.81]. Among the metabolic syndrome components, only low high-density lipoprotein levels (<50 mg/dL) were associated with significantly higher percent density among premenopausal women in Jalisco (difference = 4.62; 95% CI, 1.73-7.52). Metabolic syndrome was not associated with percent density among premenopausal women in Veracruz (difference = -2.91; 95% CI, -7.19 to 1.38), nor among postmenopausal women in either state. Metabolic syndrome was associated with higher percent density among premenopausal women in Jalisco, Mexico, but was not associated with percent density among premenopausal women in Veracruz, Mexico, or among postmenopausal women in either Jalisco or Veracruz. These findings provide some support for a possible role of metabolic syndrome in mammographic density among premenopausal women; however, results were inconsistent across states and require further confirmation in larger studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Megan S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Biessy
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lajous
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.forename: Rulla M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tamimi
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Torres-Mejía
authors.forename: Ruy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: López-Ridaura
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Romieu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000071060:Breast Density; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D008327:Mammography; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult