Association of body composition with odds of breast cancer by molecular subtype: analysis of the Mechanisms for Established and Novel Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Nigerian Women (MEND) study

Background The association between obesity and breast cancer (BC) has been extensively studied among US, European and Asian study populations, with often conflicting evidence. However, despite the increasing prevalence of obesity and associated conditions in Africa, the continent with the highest age-standardized BC mortality rate globally, few studies have evaluated this association, and none has examined in relation to molecular subtypes among African women. The current analysis examines the association between body composition, defined by body mass index (BMI), height, and weight, and BC by molecular subtype among African women. Methods We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the association between measures of body composition and BC and molecular subtypes among 419 histologically confirmed cases of BC and 286 healthy controls from the Mechanisms for Established and Novel Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Women of Nigerian Descent (MEND) case-control study. Results Higher BMI (aOR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.95) and weight (aOR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.98) were associated with reduced odds of BC in adjusted models, while height was associated with non-statistically significant increased odds of BC (aOR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.90, 1.28). In pre/peri-menopausal, but not post-menopausal women, both higher BMI and weight were significantly associated with reduced odds of BC. Further, higher BMI was associated with reduced odds of Luminal A, Luminal B, and HER2-enriched BC among pre/peri-menopausal women, and reduced odds of triple-negative BC among post-menopausal women. Conclusions Higher BMI and weight were associated with reduced odds of BC overall and by molecular subtype among West African women. Larger studies of women of African descent are needed to definitively characterize these associations and inform cancer prevention strategies.

A prospective observational study on the traditional and novel risk factors associated with post-transplant diabetes mellitus in renal transplant recipients

Introduction and Aim: Post Transplant Diabetes Mellitus (PTDM) constitutes a major co-morbidity that has significant impact on the patient and renal allograft outcome. Various traditional risk factors like dialysis vintage, immunosuppressive medication, viral infections have known to be associated with PTDM. Novel risk factors and its causative role in PTDM remains unexplored. The study looked at the incidence of PTDM at 6 months post renal transplantation and correlation of PTDM with known traditional and novel risk factors like pre-transplant C-reactive protein (CRP) level and Trace element deficiency. Material and Methods: 30 consecutive renal transplant recipients more than 18 years of age were inducted into the study. Demographic data, known pre-transplant and post-transplant risk factors associated with development of PTDM were collected. Pre-transplant CRP and serum Trace element (Aluminum, Copper, Selenium and Zinc) levels were estimated. PTDM was diagnosed by home based glucometer monitoring and confirmed by Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Results: The incidence of PTDM was 36.6% at six months post renal transplant. Among the pre-transplant risk factors, higher age and positive family history of diabetes mellitus had a strong association with the occurrence of PTDM. Pre-transplant Zinc deficiency emerged as a significant novel risk factor for the development of PTDM. Conclusion: Apart from known traditional risk factors, novel risk factors are associated with development of PTDM.