Serum Lipids, Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 and Treatment Outcomes in Women with and Without Cervical Lesions in South Western Uganda: A Cohort Study

Purpose: There is a documented association between cervical cancer and metabolic syndrome. In this study, we determined the association between lipids, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and treatment outcomes for cervical lesions at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in south western Uganda.Patients and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we recruited 94 cases and 94 controls at the cervical cancer clinic of MRRH, and followed them for 12 months. Cases were confirmed with cytology and/or histology. With consent, we collected demographic data and measured lipids and IGFBP-3 both at baseline and after 12 months. The lipid profile was measured using a Cobas 6000 Chemistry Analyzer, whereas IGFBP-3 was measured using a MAGLUMI fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer. Abnormal values for lipids were defined using WHO recommended cut-offs. IGFBP-3 concentrations were divided into two categories of low concentration (<3.29 g/mL) and raised concentration (>= 3.29 mu g/mL). Statistical analyses were conducted in STATA version 17 using logistic regression analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was taken to be statistically significant.Results: The average (mean +/- SD) age of our participants was 38.7 +/- 8.2 years for controls and 34.5 +/- 7.8 years for cases. The average serum IGFBP-3 concentration was 3.769 +/- 1.098 g/mL among cases with cleared lesions and 3.505 +/- 0.979 mu g/mL among cases whose lesions persisted. A serum IGFBP-3 concentration of less than 3.291 mu g/mL was likely to be associated with clearance of cervical lesions (AOR 1.65, p=0.67), although this was not statistically significant. A serum triglyceride concentration of 35-135 mg/dL was also likely to be associated with clearance of cervical lesions (AOR 2.41, p=0.46), although this was also not statistically significant.Conclusion: Although not statistically significant, reduced serum concentrations of IGFBP-3 and triglyceride may be associated with clearance of cervical lesions. Lipid management may be of benefit in the treatment of cervical lesions.