BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the association between serum expression of miRNA-155 and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 110 patients scheduled to undergo colon tumor resection via laparotomy in Ningbo No. 2 Hospital from July 2013 to November 2015. The blood samples were collected from the participants 1 day before surgery. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used for the analysis of independent predictive biomarkers for POCD.

RESULTS: On the 7th postoperative day, 29 of the 110 participants developed POCD, yielding a POCD incidence of 26.4%. Age, MMSE score, duration of surgery and anesthesia, serum levels of CRP, TNF-α, urea, creatinine, and miRNA-155 were highly associated with the occurrence of POCD. Serum expression of miRNA-155 was shown by multiple logistic regression analysis to be an independent predictive indicator for POCD after surgery (OR: 2.732; 95%CI 1.415–5.233; P=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS: The serum expression of miRNA-155 is an independent predictive factor for POCD after laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.

Keywords: Biomarkers - blood, Cognitive Dysfunction - genetics, Colonic Neoplasms - surgery, Cytokines - blood, Forecasting, Laparoscopy - adverse effects, MicroRNAs - genetics, Postoperative Complications - genetics, Predictive Value of Tests, preoperative period, Risk Factors