Pulse-wave velocity, the ankle-brachial index, and the visceral fat area are highly associated with colorectal adenoma

Association between Atherosclerosis and High-Risk Colorectal Adenomas based on Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index and Ankle-Brachial Index

Background/Aims

Colorectal adenomas are precancerous lesions that may lead to colorectal cancer. Recent studies have shown that colorectal adenomas are associated with atherosclerosis. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) are noninvasive methods for evaluating atherosclerosis. This study examined the association between atherosclerosis and high-risk colorectal adenomas based on the CAVI and ABI.

Methods

The data of patients aged ≥50 years who had a colonoscopy and CAVI and ABI measurements from August 2015 to December 2021 at the Kangwon National University Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. After the colonoscopy, subjects were divided into no, overall, and high-risk (size ≥1 cm, high-grade dysplasia or villous adenoma, three or more adenomas) adenoma groups based on the pathology findings. The data were subjected to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

Among the 1,164 subjects, adenomas and high-risk adenomas were found in 613 (52.6%) and 118 (10.1%) patients, respectively. The rate of positive ABI (<0.9) and positive CAVI (≥9.0) were significantly higher in the high-risk adenoma group (22.0% and 55.9%) than in the no adenoma (12.3% and 39.6%) and the overall adenoma group (15.7% and 44.0%) (p=0.008 and p=0.006, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed a positive CAVI and smoking status to be significantly associated with high-risk adenoma with an odds ratio of 1.595 (95% confidence interval 1.055-2.410, p=0.027) and 1.579 (1.072-2.324, p=0.021), respectively.

Conclusions

In this study, a significant correlation between positive CAVI and high-risk adenomas was observed. Therefore, CAVI may be a significant predictor for high-risk colorectal adenoma.

Effects of anthracycline chemotherapy and Kuan-Sin-Yin on the spectral indices of arterial pulse waveforms in breast cancer patients

The vascular structure and function are potentially useful biomarkers for tumor detection. Treatment with chemotherapeutic agents may impair vascular function and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to use noninvasive pulse waveform measurements to identify differences in the frequency-domain indices of the pulse waveform in breast-cancer patients following anthracycline chemotherapy between with (Group KSY) and without (Group NKSY) receiving Kuan-Sin-Yin (KSY) treatment.Radial blood pressure waveform (BPW) signals were measured noninvasively for 3 minutes in 31 patients, and the FACT-G, BFI-T, and EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires were administered. The following pulse indices were calculated for 10 harmonics: the amplitude proportion and its coefficient of variation, and the phase angle and its standard deviation.The changes in spectral BPW indices were more prominent in Group NKSY than in Group KSY, especially for the decreases in BPW variability indices. Scores on the FACT-G, BFI-T, and EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires suggested that the quality of life following chemotherapy was better in Group KSY.The identified decreases in pulse variability indices could be related to the greater impairment of regulatory activities in Group NKSY. The present findings may be meaningful in developing techniques with advantages such as being noninvasive and time-saving to evaluate the blood supply and physiological conditions following chemotherapy or other treatment strategies in cancer patients.

Arterial stiffness is associated with high-risk colorectal adenomas and serrated lesions: A cross-sectional study in a Taiwanese population

BACKGROUND

Little is currently known about the association between arterial stiffness and colorectal serrated lesions. This study was aimed toward an investigation of the association between arterial stiffness and colorectal precancerous lesions, including colorectal adenomas and serrated lesions.

METHODS

7262 eligible adult subjects who underwent health check-ups with colonoscopies and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were recruited. Patients were categorized as polyp-free, low-risk and high-risk adenomas, and low-risk and high-risk serrated lesions based on the presence of polyps. The severity of arterial stiffness was categorized into four subgroups based on the baPWV quartile.

RESULTS

After adjusting for multiple covariates, the baPWV values were found to be positively correlated with the occurrence of low-risk adenomas. With respect to high-risk polyps, the third and highest baPWV quartiles were significantly associated with the occurrence of both high-risk adenomas and high-risk serrated lesions. A more significant association was found in the highest baPWV quartiles combined with smoking in cases classified with high-risk serrated lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased arterial stiffness was independently associated with precancerous colorectal lesions, not only adenomas but also high-risk serrated lesions. Individuals with increased arterial stiffness, especially those who are smokers, should be more aware of the risk of colorectal cancer.

A paradox between preoperative overweight/obesity and change in weight during postoperative chemotherapy and its relationship to survival in stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ colorectal cancer patients

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The roles of obesity and weight management in colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence and survival have gained a considerable amount of attention. However, whether a change in weight affects the risk of recurrence and death remains unclear.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted using Kaplan-Meier curves, multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, and restricted cubic splines in 902 patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ CRC to investigate the impact of the preoperative BMI and change in weight during postoperative chemotherapy on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The lowest risk of cancer events (recurrence/metastasis and new CRC cases) and death occurred in patients who had a normal weight (BMI range from 18.5 to 23.9 kg/m²) or had weight gain of < 5%; the patients who were underweight (BMI ≤ 18.5 kg/m²) or overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m²) and had weight loss or weight gain of ≥ 5% had a higher risk of cancer events and death. The association between preoperative BMI and the risk of cancer events and death exhibited U-shaped curves; the inflection points were at BMI = 24 kg/m² and BMI = 25 kg/m² for the risk of cancer events and death, respectively. The association between the change in weight and risk of death also exhibited a U-shaped curve, while the association between the change in weight and risk of cancer events was nearly linear. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models showed that the preoperative BMI and change in weight played bidirectional roles in both the OS and DFS.

CONCLUSIONS

An obesity paradox exists in patients with CRC, with both weight loss and excessive weight gain being detrimental. Patients with CRC may require a reasonable weight management program, and gaining < 5% of the preoperative weight might be an appropriate goal at 6 months after surgery.

Association of Cardiovascular Risk Assessment with Early Colorectal Neoplasia Detection in Asymptomatic Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Previous studies have shown a strong coexistence of colorectal neoplasia (CRN) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study was aimed to summarize the available evidence on association of CVD risk with early CRN detection in asymptomatic populations. PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched for eligible studies published until Dec 20, 2019. Studies exploring the associations of recommended CVD risk assessment methods (e.g., risk scores, carotid artery plaque, and coronary artery calcium score [CACS]) with risk of CRN were included. Meta-analyses were conducted to determine the overall association of CVD risk with the CRN. A total of 12 studies were finally included. The association of carotid artery plaque with the risk of colorectal adenoma (AD) was weakest (pooled odds ratio [OR)] 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI), 1.12, 1.45]. Participants with CACS>100 had about 2-fold increased risk of AD than those with CACS=0. The pooled ORs were 3.36 (95% CI, 2.15, 5.27) and 2.30 (95% CI, 1.69, 3.13) for the risk of advanced colorectal neoplasia (AN) and AD, respectively, in participants with Framingham risk score (FRS)>20%, when compared to participants at low risk (FRS<10%). FRS might help identify subgroups at increased risk for AN, but further studies are needed.

Association between pulse wave velocity and hot flashes/sweats in middle-aged women

As women age and go through menopause, they suffer a higher incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have shown that a relationship exists between hot flashes/sweats and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the association between hot flashes/sweats and arterial stiffness is unclear. We aim to explore the relationship between hot flashes/sweats and arterial stiffness using the modified Kupperman index (KMI) questionnaire and measure the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). The prevalence of hot flashes in our research was reported to be 41.77%. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean baPWV among groups that experienced different severities of hot flashes/sweats according to one-way ANOVA test (p < 0.001). The baPWV values were positively associated with the severity of hot flashes/sweats based on linear regression after adjusting for established cardiovascular confounders (95% CI: (5.86, 43.23), p = 0.01). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first investigation to propose that baPWV may serve both as an objective index for evaluating the severity of hot flashes/sweats and as a predictor of arterial stiffness beyond Cardiac Vascular Disease (CVD) risk factors in middle-aged women.

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of colorectal neoplasia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

A recent meta-analysis showed that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a higher prevalence of cancer and cancer-related mortality; however, little information is available on the association between OSA and colorectal neoplasia.

METHODS

We identified consecutive patients who underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG) and subsequent colonoscopy. We compared the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia between patients with or without OSA according to the results of PSG. For each patient with OSA, 1 or 2 controls matched for age (±5 years), sex, body mass index (BMI), and smoking who had undergone first-time screening colonoscopy were selected.

RESULTS

Of the 163 patients, 111 patients were diagnosed with OSA and 52 patients were within the normal range of the Apnea-Hypopnea Index. Of the 111 patients with OSA, 18 patients (16.2%) had advanced colorectal neoplasia, including 4 (3.6%) colorectal cancers. In the multivariate analyses, OSA was associated with an increased risk of advanced colorectal neoplasia after adjusting for factors including age and sex (mild: odds ratio [OR], 14.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55-127.83; P = .019; moderate or severe: OR, 14.12; 95% CI, 1.52-131.25; P = .020). Our case-control study revealed that the odds of detecting advanced colorectal neoplasia among patients with OSA were approximately 3.03 times greater than in the controls matched for age, sex, BMI, and smoking (OR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.44-6.34; P = .002).

CONCLUSION

Physicians should be aware of the association between OSA and the development of colorectal neoplasia and explain the need for colonoscopy to patients with OSA.

To assess the association between vertebral marrow fat content and colorectal adenoma in postmenopausal women using magnetic resonance spectroscopy

BACKGROUND

Although lower bone mineral density (BMD) is considered to have an increased risk for colorectal adenoma, no association between marrow fat content and colorectal adenoma has been elucidated yet.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the relationship between marrow fat fraction (MFF) and the presence of colorectal adenoma in postmenopausal women using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional observational study on 152 postmenopausal patients with colorectal adenoma and 100 matched control subjects who underwent screening colonoscopy, biochemical measurements, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and MRS. Logistic regression models were performed to assess the relationships among BMD, MFF, and colorectal adenoma.

RESULTS

With univariate analysis, marrow fat accumulation was higher and BMD values were lower in patients with colorectal adenoma compared with those in controls. After adjustment for potential confounders including demographics, health history, blood lipid levels, indexes of glucose metabolism, and validated measures of diet and physical activity, MFF was significantly positively associated with colorectal adenoma (odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-2.46; P = 0.008). Vertebral BMD, but not total hip and femoral neck BMD, was inversely related with colorectal adenoma (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.14-0.89; P = 0.027). Additionally, MFF was associated with adenoma number, size, and high-risk adenoma (all P < 0.01). MFF was found to be an independent risk factor of a high-risk colorectal adenoma (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.24-3.60; P = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

Marrow fat accumulation is highly associated with colorectal adenoma, particularly high-risk adenoma, in postmenopausal women.

Association Between Colorectal Cancer and Atherosclerotic Diseases: A Study Using a National Inpatient Database in Japan

BACKGROUND

Both colorectal neoplasms and atherosclerosis can be induced by common visceral fat accumulation. However, the association between these diseases at the advanced stage, colorectal cancer and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases, has not been elucidated.

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the association between colorectal cancer and vascular diseases in relation to obesity and metabolic disorders, using a nationwide database of hospitalized patients in Japan. We used non-cardiac gastric cancer patients as a reference, because they were considered to be neutral for obesity or metabolic disorders.

METHODS

We identified 54,591 patients with colorectal cancer and 19,565 patients with gastric cancer from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. The data collected included: sex; age; body mass index (BMI); smoking status; comorbidity; and medication data, comprising hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, and stroke. We compared these data in a cross-sectional setting by multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that female sex, increased BMI, hypertension [odds ratio (OR) 1.11; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.07-1.15; P < 0.0001], and diabetes (OR 1.17; 95 % CI 1.12-1.23; P < 0.0001) were more associated with colorectal cancer than with gastric cancer. Smoking, aspirin use (OR 0.85; 95 % CI 0.79-0.92; P < 0.0001), and coronary artery disease (OR 0.90; 95 % CI 0.86-0.95; P = 0.0001) were inversely associated with colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity and metabolic disorders were more associated with colorectal cancer than with non-cardiac gastric cancer, while coronary artery disease (CAD) was inversely associated. Some mechanisms involving separate populations of colorectal cancer and CAD under visceral fat accumulation might be suggested.

Visceral adiposity and colorectal adenomas: dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Obesity-related hormonal and metabolic perturbations implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis are mainly driven by visceral adipose tissue (VAT) rather than subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Yet, most epidemiologic studies have examined the relationship between excess adiposity and colorectal neoplasia using body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Due to the inability of BMI and WC to distinguish VAT from SAT, they are likely to have underestimated the true association.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a dose-response meta-analysis to summarize the relationships between VAT and colorectal adenomas and to examine the value of VAT as an independent risk factor beyond BMI, WC, and SAT. PubMed and Embase were searched through September 2014 to identify relevant observational studies. The summary odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

In linear dose-response meta-analysis, the summary OR for each 25 cm(2) increase in VAT area was 1.13 (95% CI 1.05-1.21; I(2) = 62%; 6 studies; 2776 cases; range of VAT area = 30-228 cm(2)). The dose-response curve suggested no evidence of nonlinearity (Pnon-linearity = 0.37). In meta-analysis comparing the highest versus lowest category of VAT based on 12 studies, a positive association between VAT and adenomas remained statistically significant even after adjustment for BMI, WC, and SAT. In contrast, adjustment for VAT substantially attenuated associations of BMI, WC, and SAT with adenomas. Across the studies, VAT was more strongly associated with advanced adenomas than nonadvanced adenomas.

CONCLUSIONS

VAT may be the underlying mediator of the observed associations of BMI and WC with adenomas, increasing adenoma risk continuously over a wide range of VAT area. Considering that the joint use of BMI and WC better captures VAT than the use of either one, clinicians are recommended to use both BMI and WC to identify those at high risk for colorectal neoplasia.

Body mass index and colon cancer screening: The road ahead

Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) has been associated with a decreased incidence and mortality from CRC. However, patient adherence to screening is less than desirable and resources are limited even in developed countries. Better identification of individuals at a higher risk could result in improved screening efforts. Over the past few years, formulas have been developed to predict the likelihood of developing advanced colonic neoplasia in susceptible individuals but have yet to be utilized in mass screening practices. These models use a number of clinical factors that have been associated with colonic neoplasia including the body mass index (BMI). Advances in our understanding of the mechanisms by which obesity contributes to colonic neoplasia as well as clinical studies on this subject have proven the association between BMI and colonic neoplasia. However, there are still controversies on this subject as some studies have arrived at different conclusions on the influence of BMI by gender. Future studies should aim at resolving these discrepancies in order to improve the efficiency of screening strategies.