Key result
High serum copper linked to ~4-fold higher risk of CV and cancer death.
Case-Control
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To investigate the association of serum copper and zinc with mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease, the authors performed a case-control analysis of data obtained in a Dutch prospective follow-up study. Cancer (n = 64) and cardiovascular disease (n = 62) deaths and their matched controls were taken from a cohort of 10,532 persons examined in 1975-1978. Trace elements were measured in baseline serum samples, which had been stored during the six to nine years of follow-up. The adjusted risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease was about four times higher for subjects in the highest serum copper quintile (greater than 1.43 mg/liter) compared with those with normal levels. The excess mortality observed in subjects with low copper status suggests a U-shaped relation. No significant change in the risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease was found for subjects with low or high baseline levels of serum zinc. However, a protective effect of a high zinc status on the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease is compatible with the data. For definitive conclusions, analysis of larger prospective data sets is recommended.
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Kok et al. (1988) conducted a case-control in Cancer and cardiovascular disease. Serum copper and zinc levels vs. Normal baseline levels of serum copper and zinc was evaluated on Death from cancer and cardiovascular disease (Risk ~4 times higher). Subjects in the highest serum copper quintile (>1.43 mg/liter) had an approximately four times higher adjusted risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease compared with normal levels.
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