Increase of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Level in Serum Is Associated with Metabolic Factors and Lifestyle

Lizhi Sun, MingjieXu, Lili Wang, Yan Wang, Yunshan Wang

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been a critical indicator for diagnosis of some cancers, however, CEA levels might increase in certain physiological conditions. We investigate the relationship between CEA levels and nonmalignant conditions based on physical examination and laboratory data of serum from 1601 individuals attending Jinan Central Hospital. Our results showed that CEA level increased significantly with agein both genders. Subjects were classified into different groups according to metabolic factors including BMI, fasting glucose, serum lipids and blood pressure, and lifestyle including cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. In women, CEA levels are higher in those with higher BMI, hyperlipidemia and hypertension than in normal group, whereas in men, CEA level in those with fasting hyperglucoseis significantly higher than those with normal glucose. In male smokers and drinkers, CEA levels tend to go up along with the increase of cigarette and alcohol consumption. After adjustment of age, CEA level is positively correlated with the fasting glucose, smoking and alcohol consumption in men, while with BMI in women. These results indicate that CEA levels can change dramatically under nonmalignant circumstances including age, BMI, fasting glucose, serum lipids, blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption factors. This finding suggests that CEA elevation in non-malignant conditions should be taken into account while making diagnosis of cancers.