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Hypercholesterolemia and prostate cancer: a hospital-based case–control study

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Abstract

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).

Conclusion

This study adds to recent evidence that hypercholesterolemia may increase the risk of prostate cancer in white men.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA

    Lindsay Magura, Richelle Blanchard & Brian Hope

  2. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA

    James R. Beal

  3. Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Gary G. Schwartz

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 1919 Elm Street North, Fargo, ND, 58102, USA

    Abe E. Sahmoun

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  1. Lindsay Magura
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  2. Richelle Blanchard
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Correspondence to Abe E. Sahmoun.

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Magura, L., Blanchard, R., Hope, B. et al. Hypercholesterolemia and prostate cancer: a hospital-based case–control study. Cancer Causes Control 19, 1259–1266 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-008-9197-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-008-9197-7

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