Metabolic syndrome is an independent correlate of breast nodules: a retrospective case-control study

Breast nodules are a common clinical finding in women, and their association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the independent relevant factors for breast nodules, with a focus on MetS.

We analyzed health examination data from 667 women in 2024, with 300 participants (150 with breast nodules and 150 without) randomly selected for analysis. Data included medical history, metabolic parameters, psychological evaluations, and breast ultrasound reports [breast imaging reporting and data system, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification].

The prevalence of breast nodules was 65.97% (440/667). Women with breast nodules exhibited a significantly higher average height (160.89±5.65 vs. 158.92±5.96 cm, P=0.005) and higher very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) level (0.069 vs. 0.064 mmol/L, P=0.03) compared to those without nodules. The breast nodule group also had higher rates of MetS (17.33% vs. 6.67%, P=0.007), diabetes (13.33% vs. 5.33%, P=0.03), hyperlipidemia (39.33% vs. 27.33%, P=0.04), and high symptom burden of anxiety/depression (19 vs. 9 cases, P=0.02). After correction, MetS [false discovery rate (FDR)-adjusted P=0.04] and height (FDR-adjusted P=0.03) still showed significant statistical differences between the group with breast nodules and the group without breast nodules.

Multivariate regression analysis identified MetS [odds ratio (OR) =3.453; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.569-7.601] and height (OR =1.060 per 1 cm increase, 95% CI: 1.018-1.103) as independent relevant factors. These findings suggest that metabolic health interventions may play an important role in breast nodules.