# Association of the uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with breast cancer odds: a retrospective study

## TL;DR

This study finds that a higher uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is linked to increased odds of breast cancer in women.

## Contribution

The study identifies UHR as a potential metabolic biomarker for breast cancer risk.

## Key findings

- UHR was significantly higher in breast cancer patients compared to those with benign breast nodules.
- Each 100-unit increase in UHR was associated with a 9-13% increased odds of breast cancer.
- UHR showed moderate diagnostic effectiveness with an AUC of 0.62 and 80% sensitivity.

## Abstract

This study looks into the relationship between serum uric acid levels and the ratio of serum uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (UHR) with the likelihood of breast cancer in women. It also evaluates its value as a biomarker related to metabolism for breast cancer.

This retrospective study included 500 women (279 breast cancer patients and 221 with benign breast nodules). We calculated the uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (UHR) using preoperative lab data. Multivariable logistic regression analysis analyzed its relationship with the likelihood of getting breast cancer. Meanwhile, ROC curves and restricted cubic spline analyses assessed its diagnostic effectiveness and dose–response relationship.

In the breast cancer group, UHR was significantly higher than that of the benign group (0.10 ± 0.04 vs. 0.09 ± 0.03, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that for every 100-unit increase in UHR, the odds of developing breast cancer increased by 9 to 13%, and subjects with UHR ≥ 0.091 had a 63% increased odds of developing breast cancer (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.03–2.59). However, UHR showed moderate diagnostic effectiveness (AUC = 0.62), with a sensitivity rate of 80%. Additionally, analysis using restricted cubic splines confirmed a positive linear correlation in a dose–response manner, indicating there was no threshold effect.

Research has found that UHR (ultra-high risk) is linked to a higher chance of developing breast cancer. This suggests that UHR could help predict breast cancer risk. In the future, we need to confirm our findings with a bigger group of people and keep digging into the reasons behind this.