Kantor, ElizabethUdumyan, RuzanSignorello, LisaGiovannucci, EdwardMontgomery, ScottFall, Katja2019-09-232016Kantor, Elizabeth D, Ruzan Udumyan, Lisa B Signorello, Edward L Giovannucci, Scott Montgomery, and Katja Fall. 2015. “Adolescent Body Mass Index and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Relation to Colorectal Cancer Risk.” Gut 65 (8): 1289–95. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2014-309007.0017-57491468-3288http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41392042Objective Adult obesity and inflammation have been associated with risk of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, less is known about how adolescent body mass index (BMI) and inflammation, as measured by erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), relate to CRC risk. We sought to evaluate these associations in a cohort of 239 658 Swedish men who underwent compulsory military enlistment examinations in late adolescence (ages 16-20 years). Design: At the time of the conscription assessment (1969-1976), height and weight were measured and ESR was assayed. By linkage to the national cancer registry, these conscripts were followed for CRC through 1 January 2010. Over an average of 35 years of follow-up, 885 cases of CRC occurred, including 501 colon cancers and 384 rectal cancers. Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted HRs and corresponding 95% CIs. Results: Compared with normal weight (BMI 18.5 to <25 kg/m(2)) in late adolescence, upper overweight (BMI 27.5 to <30 kg/m(2)) was associated with a 2.08-fold higher risk of CRC (95% CI 1.40 to 3.07) and obesity (BMI 30+ kg/m(2)) was associated with a 2.38-fold higher risk of CRC (95% CI 1.51 to 3.76) (p-trend: <0.001). Male adolescents with ESR (15+ mm/h) had a 63% higher risk of CRC (HR 1.63; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.45) than those with low ESR (<10 mm/h) (p-trend: 0.006). Associations did not significantly differ by anatomic site. Conclusions: Late-adolescent BMI and inflammation, as measured by ESR, may be independently associated with future CRC risk. Further research is needed to better understand how early-life exposures relate to CRC.en-USJournal Article2019-09-2310.1136/gutjnl-2014-309007