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EV074/#878  Exploring the relationship between serum copper/zinc ratio, clinical risk, and disease stage in women with cervical cancer in Zaria, Nigeria: a cross-sectional analysis
  1. Hauwa Gumbi1,
  2. Aisha Mustapha2,
  3. Musliu Adetola Tolani3,
  4. Anisah Yahya2,
  5. Abimbola Kolawole2,
  6. Jibril El-Bashir4 and
  7. Adekunle Oguntayo2
  1. 1Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zaria, Nigeria
  2. 2Ahmadu Bello University/Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zaria, Nigeria
  3. 3Ahmadu Bello University/Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, `surgery, Zaria, Nigeria
  4. 4Ahmadu Bello University/Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Chemical Pathology, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction The association of CC with trace elements has been studied in different demographic groups with conflicting findings. The Copper/Zinc ratio (Cu:Zn) has been demonstrated to be a reliable predictor as well as a prognostic marker in other malignancies, but not in CC. This study aimed at investigating the relationship of serum copper, zinc, and Cu: Zn with clinical risk and disease stage among women with CC in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

Methods A cross-sectional analytical study of 254 consecutive eligible consenting women, were recruited: 127 healthy women and 127 women with CC, matched for age and Body Mass Index. Serum Copper, Zinc, and Copper:Zinc was assessed with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and correlated with clinical findings. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 26 and level of significance set at <0.05.

Results The median levels of serum Copper, Zinc and Cu:Zn in this study are lower in CC compared to controls with values of 3.1µg/dl versus 4.2µg/dl, 25.3µg/dl versus 27.1µg/dl and 0.12 versus 0.15 respectively. The difference in the serum Copper levels between the two groups was statistically significant (p-<0.005). Age at coitarche had a significant negative correlation with serum Cu:Zn. The median Cu:Zn was not significantly higher in earlier stage CC. Serum Cu:Zn has high sensitivity but poor specificity in predicting CC.

Conclusion/Implications Serum Copper, Zinc, and Cu:Zn cannot be used to reliably predict CC and does not correlate with stage or risk factors in our women. Further research with larger sample size is needed.

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