Inflammatory Burden Index and Cancer Prevalence: Insights from a Nationally Representative Study on the Predictive Role of Systemic Inflammation

Background Cancer remains a major global health burden with persistently high incidence and mortality rates. Chronic systemic inflammation plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation and progression. The Inflammatory Burden Index (IBI), a composite biomarker derived from routine blood parameters, has shown promise in cancer prognosis. However, evidence from large-scale, population-based studies on its association with cancer prevalence is scarce. Objective To investigate the association between IBI levels and cancer prevalence in a representative U.S. population, providing insights into the role of systemic inflammation in cancer risk stratification. Methods Data from 10,196 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2020 were analyzed. Cancer prevalence was based on self-reported diagnoses, and IBI was calculated using established formulas. Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were employed to evaluate the relationship between IBI levels and overall and site-specific cancer prevalence. Results Higher IBI levels were significantly associated with increased cancer prevalence (9.92%). Adjusted logistic models confirmed a positive relationship between IBI and cancer risk (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.04–1.80; P = 0.02). Notably, stronger associations were observed for breast (OR: 1.99) and prostate cancer (OR: 2.02). Subgroup analysis revealed significant interactions between IBI and body mass index (BMI), with amplified risk among individuals with BMI ≥ 25. Conclusions Elevated IBI levels are independently associated with higher cancer prevalence, particularly for breast and prostate cancers. These findings support the utility of IBI as a non-invasive, cost-effective marker for cancer risk stratification in clinical and public health settings.