Metabolic syndrome prevalence in endometrial cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The undiagnosed prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women with endometrioid endometrial cancer
IRAS ID
198210
Contact name
Emma Crosbie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors which share links with abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. The presence of at least three of the following criteria is required for a diagnosis of: elevated waist circumference, raised triglyceride level, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and elevated fasting glucose. The presence of metabolic syndrome is associated with a doubling in the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, a five-fold increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes and a greater than two-fold increase in deaths associated with cardiovascular disease. These risks are greater for women than for men.
Metabolic syndrome is also a significant risk factor for endometrial cancer. Whilst the exact mechanisms linking the two conditions are still unknown, it is estimated that 70% of women will have at least one component of the syndrome and that over a third of women have undiagnosed insulin resistance. The true extent of the problem, however, has never been assessed in this population.
This information is important for two reasons; firstly, to support the implementation of a screening programme for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in women diagnosed with endometrial cancer and secondly, to inform adequately powered studies identifying individuals at high risk of developing the disease. As women with early endometrial cancer are twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease as they are from their cancer, detailed prevalence data of undiagnosed risk factors is crucial to guide public health intervention.
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in non-diabetic patients with endometrial cancer will be assessed using clinical data and fasting blood test results from women enrolled in one of several clinical trials at the University of Manchester. Consent has already been obtained to make use of stored serum and urine to complete a metabolic profile of individual patients.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
16/WS/0040
Date of REC Opinion
3 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion