Arterial stiffness is associated with high-risk colorectal adenomas and serrated lesions: A cross-sectional study in a Taiwanese population

Background: Little is currently known about the association between arterial stiffness and colorectal serrated lesions. This study was aimed toward an investigation of the association between arterial stiffness and colorectal precancerous lesions, including colorectal adenomas and serrated lesions. Methods: 7262 eligible adult subjects who underwent health check-ups with colonoscopies and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were recruited. Patients were categorized as polyp-free, low-risk and high-risk adenomas, and low-risk and high-risk serrated lesions based on the presence of polyps. The severity of arterial stiffness was categorized into four subgroups based on the baPWV quartile. Results: After adjusting for multiple covariates, the baPWV values were found to be positively correlated with the occurrence of low-risk adenomas. With respect to high-risk polyps, the third and highest baPWV quartiles were significantly associated with the occurrence of both high-risk adenomas and high-risk serrated lesions. A more significant association was found in the highest baPWV quartiles combined with smoking in cases classified with high-risk serrated lesions. Conclusions: Increased arterial stiffness was independently associated with precancerous colorectal lesions, not only adenomas but also high-risk serrated lesions. Individuals with increased arterial stiffness, especially those who are smokers, should be more aware of the risk of colorectal cancer.