Serum CA19-9 as a predictor of incident metabolic syndrome in obese middle-aged and older men: A 9-year cohort study

BackgroundThe status of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) in metabolic syndrome (MetS) is unknown.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between serum CA19-9 levels and incident metabolic syndrome in obese middle-aged and older men.MethodsFrom 2007 to 2015, 1,750 participants were retrospectively reviewed. Health checkup data were obtained, and participants were divided into three groups based on CA19-9 levels. Various parameters including BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, and biochemical parameters were measured. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association between CA19-9 levels and incident MetS. The MetS diagnostic criteria were based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines.ResultsThe highest CA19-9 tertile was associated with an increased risk of incident MetS, high systolic blood pressure, high waist circumference, high fasting plasma glucose, low high-density lipoprotein, and high triglyceride levels. The observation period was 9 years, during which 328 (18.7%) new-onset MetS cases were identified. Subgroup analysis showed increased risk among individuals in the highest CA19-9 tertile who were obese, male, and ≥ 50 years old.ConclusionsThere is a positive correlation between serum CA19-9 levels and incident metabolic syndrome in obese middle-aged and older men.