Associations of body mass index and weight change with circulating levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, proinflammatory cytokines, and adiponectin among breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the associations of body mass index (BMI) and weight change with inflammatory markers among breast cancer survivors in Korea.

Methods: A total of 495 women were included who had been diagnosed with primary breast cancer and survived for at least 6 months since the surgery. Information on the body weight and height of the participants was collected both at the study enrollment and diagnosis. The plasma levels of inflammatory markers were measured, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, and adiponectin. A summary z-score was calculated by summing up the z-scores of each biomarker. The least-square means and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a generalized linear model and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for the elevated levels of inflammatory markers with a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results: Participants with a BMI ≥27.5 kg/m2 at the study enrollment and at diagnosis were significantly associated with elevated summary z-scores compared to those with a BMI < 23 kg/m2; the ORs (95% CIs) were 5.42 (2.15–13.71) for current BMI and 3.66 (1.68–7.98) for BMI at diagnosis, respectively. Additionally, a weight loss > 5% since diagnosis was associated with a lower prevalence of high summary z-scores; the OR (95% CI) was .20 (.08–.52) compared to a stable weight.

Conclusions: A high BMI at diagnosis and current BMI with a greater degree were associated with unfavorable levels of inflammatory markers among breast cancer survivors. Additionally, weight loss since diagnosis was inversely associated with these markers.