The Inverse Relation of CA-125 to Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and Associated Clinical Variables

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125; also known as cancer antigen 125) with various anthropometric and metabolic measures and also with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Methods: A total of 357 diabetic and nondiabetic subjects were enrolled. CA-125, anthropometric parameters, lipids, blood pressure, as well as glycemic and insulin resistance measures were assessed. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Results: CA-125 was lower in subjects with diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome [median (interquartile range) of 8.20 (5.70-11.57) and 9.55 (6.50-16.25) U/mL for diabetic and nondiabetic subjects, respectively, P < 0.05; 8.11 (5.90-11.45) and 9.50 (6.34-14.76) U/mL for subjects with metabolic syndrome and those without metabolic syndrome, respectively, P < 0.05]. Anthropometric measures, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and blood pressure were inversely associated with CA-125 (P < 0.05); waist circumference and body mass index were also identified as the strongest determinants of CA-125 (P < 0.001). Using multiple linear regression models, waist circumference (beta = -0.088, P < 0.01), apolipoprotein B (beta = -0.027, P < 0.05), and systolic blood pressure (beta = -0.054, P < 0.05) were independently associated with CA-125. However, none of insulin resistance measures remained in the model after adjusting for other clinical variables. Conclusion: CA-125 is inversely correlated with diabetes status, metabolic syndrome, and their associated anthropometric and metabolic measures. Furthermore, CA-125 is independently associated with waist circumference, apolipoprotein B, and systolic blood pressure, but not with any insulin resistance measures.