The association between serum lipids and colorectal neoplasm: A systemic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective There have been inconsistent results published regarding the relationship between dyslipidaemia and an increased risk of colorectal neoplasia (CRN), including colorectal adenoma (CRA) and colorectal cancer (CRC). We conducted a meta-analysis to explore the relationship between dyslipidaemia and CRN. Design We identified studies by performing a literature search using PubMed, EMBASE and the Science Citation Index through October 2013. Setting We analysed thirty-three independent studies reporting the association between CRN and at least one of the selected lipid components, including total cholesterol (TC), TAG, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C). Subjects CRN cases (n 21 809) were identified. Results Overall, people with high levels of serum TAG (risk ratio (RR)=1·08; 95 % CI 1·05, 1·12, P<0·00001) and LDL-C (RR=1·07; 95 % CI 1·00, 1·14, P=0·04) presented an increased prevalence of CRN. Subgroup analyses revealed that high levels of serum TC (RR=1·04; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·09, P=0·02), TAG (RR=1·06; 95 % CI 1·03, 1·10, P=0·0009) and LDL-C (RR=1·11; 95 % CI 1·04, 1·19, P=0·003) increased the risk of CRA but not of CRC. No association between serum HDL-C and risk for CRN (including CRA and CRC) was observed. Conclusions Both TAG and LDL-C were significantly associated with an increasing prevalence of CRN. High levels of serum TC, TAG and LDL-C were positively associated with CRA but not with CRC. No significant association was observed between levels of serum HDL-C and CRN.