Metabolic Diseases and Risk of Head and Neck Cancer: A Cohort Study Analyzing Nationwide Population-Based Data

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between metabolic diseases and the risk of head and neck cancer (HNC) using nationwide population-based big data. This retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Korean National Health Insurance Service health checkup database. A total of 4,575,818 participants aged >40 years who received a health checkup in 2008 were enrolled, and we studied the incidence of HNC until 2019. We analyzed the risk of HNC according to the presence of metabolic diseases, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Although metabolic syndrome itself was not associated with HNC, each component of metabolic syndrome was associated with HNC. Underweight and diabetes were risk factors for HNC (HR: 1.694). High total cholesterol and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were factors that decreased the risk (HR 0.910 and 0.839). When we analyzed men and women separately, low total cholesterol level, low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and hypertension were risk factors only in men. In addition, pre-obesity, obesity, and central obesity decreased the risk only in men. Each metabolic disease affects HNC in different ways. Underweight and diabetes increased the risk of HNC, whereas high total cholesterol and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased the risk of HNC.

H1-antihistamine use and head and neck cancer risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus

“…T2DM is marked by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, decreased insulin secretion, and dyslipidemia, including elevated triglyceride levels and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [9][10][11][12]. Studies have suggested an association between DM and HNC [13][14][15][16]. Tseng et al [13] found that individuals newly diagnosed with DM had a 1.47-fold higher overall incidence of HNC compared to those without DM, regardless of factors such as age, sex, geographic location, income, and coexisting conditions.…”

“…A systematic review and meta-analysis study involving more than 51,496 individuals with HNC cancer in East Asia revealed an association between DM and elevated HNC risk [14]. A South Korean national cohort study found that diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of head and neck cancer (HNC) in both genders, with a higher risk compared to moderate alcohol consumption and equal to the risk from cigarette smoking [16]. Therefore, identifying a medication that could mitigate or eliminate the risk of HNC in patients with T2DM is imperative.…”