Changes in Markers of Metabolic Disorder among Patients with Prostate Cancer Attending Oncology Clinic at Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri

Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer stands as one of the most prevalent and clinically significant malignancies affecting aging males worldwide, with mounting evidence linking its onset and progression to profound molecular alterations characterized by chronic systemic multifactorial metabolic disturbances. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate selected markers of metabolic derangement in prostate cancer patients attending the Oncology Clinic at Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, Imo State. Methodology: A total of one hundred (100) participants were recruited, comprising fifty (50) c prostate cancer patients and fifty (50) apparently healthy age-matched male controls.  Metabolic markers including (Total Cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, glycosylated hemoglobin, Leptin, and Adiponectin, and Insulin, were quantified using standard biochemical methods; (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoturbidimetric method). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 and expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). A P-value less than 0.05 (P < 0.05) was considered statistically significant. Result: Results showed prostate cancer (PCa) patients exhibited significantly elevated levels of Total Cholesterol (244.32 ± 30.16 mg/dL), Triglycerides (174.07 ± 19.57 mg/dL), LDL-C (171.43 ± 16.63 mg/dL), Insulin (16.82 ± 3.44 µIU/mL), Leptin (8.84 ± 3.07 ng/mL), and Adiponectin (17.73 ± 1.77 ng/mL) compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001). Conversely, HDL-C was significantly lower (38.43 ± 4.59 mg/dL vs. 52.47 ± 4.79 mg/dL), and HbA1c was markedly increased in PCa patients (12.30 ± 1.97%) versus controls (4.04 ± 0.44%) (P = 0.0001). SBP and DBP were significantly elevated in PCa patients versus controls (P < 0.0001), while BMI showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The study demonstrated marked metabolic derangement, characterized by Dyslipidaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and poor glycaemic control. These alterations underscores the role of metabolic disorder in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. Additionally, the dyslipidemia observed in the patients may contribute to cardiovascular complications, with poor clinical outcomes.