OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association of colorectal adenoma with metabolic syndrome (MS) and relevant parameters.

METHODSClinical data of 289 subjects who underwent screening colonoscopy in the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital from January 2014 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed, including 130 normal subjects (normal group) and 159 cases with colorectal adenoma confirmed by pathology(adenoma group). Levels of MS-associated parameters were compared between the two groups, and the association of metabolic diseases with colorectal adenoma was examined.

RESULTSThe gender, smoking and drinking habit, regular physical activity, family history of colorectal cancer, and consumption history of long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were not significantly different between two groups (all P>0.05). As compared to normal group, adenoma group had higher body mass index (BMI) [(23.5±3.2) kg/m(2) vs. (22.7±2.8) kg/m(2), t=1.97, P=0.050], larger abdominal circumference [(83.4±10.3) cm vs. (79.6±13.8) cm, t=2.46, P=0.015], higher serum high-density lipoprotein level [(1.3±0.3) mmol/L vs. (1.2±0.3) mmol/L, t=2.03, P=0.044], and higher serum cholesterol [(5.4±1.0) mmol/L vs. (5.0±1.1) mmol/L, t=2.39, P=0.018]. No significant difference was demonstrated in comparing hip circumference and waist-hip ratio, as well as serum fasting glucose and triglyceride(all P>0.05). Higher incidence of colorectal adenoma was found in subjects with MS [69.8%(37/53) vs. 1.7%(122/236), P=0.017], overweight or obesity [65.1% (56/86) vs. 50.7%(103/203), P=0.025], hypertension [67.3%(37/55) vs. 52.1%(122/234), P=0.046] and hypercholesterolemia [66.7%(64/96) vs. 49.2%(95/193), P=0.005].

CONCLUSIONSMetabolic syndrome increased the risk of developing colorectal adenoma. The mechanism may be related to higher serum cholesterol and high density lipoprotein, which may lead to the elevated catabolism of serum cholesterol. Screening colonoscopy should be performed for patients diagnosed as metabolic syndrome, especially for those with central obesity and hypercholesterolemia, thus early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal adenoma may be available.