Analysis of risk factors related to breast cancer metastasis: a retrospective nested case-control study

To explore the laboratory indexes related to breast cancer metastasis, so as to provide scientific basis for the control of breast metastasis.

A retrospective cohort-based nested case-control study was used to screen 732 breast cancer patients recorded in the First and the Third Hospitals of Jilin University's electronic medical record system between January 2008 through December 2015 without metastasis at admission. Those with subsequent metastasis were classified as the metastasis group and those without metastasis as the control group. The suspected confounders were matched by propensity score matching, then univariate analysis was conducted, and the variables with statistical significance were included in multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis.

A total of 86 patients were matched in the transfer group and 315 in the control group, with a total sample size of 401.In univariate analysis, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and direct bilirubin (DBIL) in two groups were statistically different (p<0.05), multiple conditional logistic regression showed that FPG (OR=1.335) and ALP (OR=1.016) were factors related to breast cancer metastasis.

For breast cancer patients, the higher FPG and ALP levels may be associated with metastasis. Therefore, daily monitoring and control of these indicators may be helpful for the control of cancer metastasis.