Cancer risk in Chinese diabetes patients: a retrospective cohort study based on management data

Diabetes Mellitus as Cancer Risk: A 14-year, Cross-Sectional Analysis

Diabetes mellitus is widely thought to be a risk factors of cancers, but evidence of the association remains inconclusive, especially in Asian countries where few relevant studies have been conducted. Our study aimed to estimate overall and specific types of cancer risks among diabetes patients in Southern Thailand. Patients diagnosed with diabetes who visited the outpatient clinic of Songklanagarind Hospital during 2004 to 2018 were included. Newly diagnosed cancer patients were identified using the hospital-based cancer registry. Age-standardized incidence ratios (ASRs) and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were used to estimate and compare the cancer risks among diabetes patients and the general population in Southern Thailand. Of 29,314 diabetes patients identified during the study period, 1,113 patients had developed cancer. An increased risk for overall cancer was observed in both genders, with SIRs [95% CI] of 2.99 [2.65, 3.39] in men and 3.51 [3.12, 3.96] in women. Increases in the risk of several site-specific cancers including liver cancer, non-melanoma skin cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer in both sexes; prostate cancer, lymphoid leukemia, and multiple myeloma in men; and endometrial, breast, and thyroid cancer in women were observed. Our study found that diabetes generally increased the risk of both overall and site-specific cancers.

Different types of diabetes mellitus and risk of thyroid cancer: A meta-analysis of cohort studies

Objective

Sex-specific thyroid cancer risk exists in patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM). However, thyroid cancer risk in different types of DM is still unclear. This meta-analysis aims to identify the real correlation between different types of DM and thyroid cancer risk in both sexes.

Methods

Studies were identified by an electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library on 16 January 2022. A random-effects model was used to estimate the relative risks (RRs). The Cochran's Q and I2 statistics were computed to detect heterogeneity between studies.

Results

In comparison with non-DM counterparts, patients with DM had a 1.32-fold higher risk of thyroid cancer (95% CI, 1.22-1.44) with 1.26-fold (95% CI, 1.12-1.41) in men and 1.36-fold (95% CI, 1.22-1.52) in women, respectively. Subgroup analysis by the type of DM showed that the RR of thyroid cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes was 1.34 (95% CI, 1.17-1.53) in the study population with 1.32 (95% CI, 1.12-1.54) in men and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.12-1.68) in women, respectively; the RR of thyroid cancer was 1.30 (95% CI, 1.17-1.43) in patients with gestational diabetes; the risk of thyroid cancer in patients with type 1 diabetes was 1.51-fold in women but not in men. Although there were some heterogeneities, it did not affect the above results of this study.

Conclusion

This study indicates that, compared with non-DM individuals, patients with any type of DM have an elevated thyroid cancer risk. This positive correlation between type 2 diabetes and thyroid cancer risk exists in both men and women.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, CRD42022304028.

Effects of Diabetes on Inflammatory Status and Prognosis in Cancer Patients

Background

Cancer and diabetes mellitus (DM) are prevalent, but there still a lack of convinced evidence clearly explaining the extent of the effect of diabetes in cancer.

Data and Methods

Clinical data of 2,929 cancer patients were collected. Diabetes were diagnosed according to the Diabetes Diagnosis and Treatment Criteria. BMI was classified by the BMI standards for Chinese adults published by the Working Group on Obesity. All involved patients were classified into the non-DM group and DM group. The Kaplan–Meier curve, log-rank test and Cox regression analyses were used to perform survival analysis.

Results

Compared with non-DM patients, OS in DM patients was significant shorter in lung cancer (HR = 2.076, P = 0.001 in early stage; HR = 2.118, P < 0.001 in advanced stage), digestive tract cancer (HR = 1.768, P = 0.020 in early stage; HR = 2.454, P = 0.005 in advanced stage), leukemia (HR = 2.636, P < 0.001), breast cancer (HR = 2.495, P = 0.047 in early stage; HR = 2.929, P = 0.019 in advanced stage) and liver cancer (HR = 3.086, P < 0.001 in early stage; HR = 2.219, P = 0.049 in advanced stage). DM negatively influenced OS when the BMI was within the normal range in overall cancer (HR = 2.468, P < 0.001), lung cancer (HR = 2.297, P < 0.001), digestive tract cancer (HR = 2.354, P < 0.001), liver cancer (HR = 2.406, P = 0.001), leukemia (HR = 4.039, P < 0.001) and breast cancer (HR = 4.222, P = 0.008). Among those with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m², DM played a role only in lung cancer (HR = 1.597, P = 0.037).

Conclusions

Patients with diabetes tend to combine worse body composition and inflammation status, and that glycemic control can ameliorate the impairment of diabetes to some extent.

The Relationship Between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Related Thyroid Diseases

Diabetes and thyroid diseases are caused by endocrine dysfunction and both have been demonstrated to mutually impact each other. Variation in thyroid hormone levels, even within the normal range, can trigger the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), particularly in people with prediabetes. However, the available evidence is contradictory.

The purpose of this review is to understand the pathological relationship between thyroid-related disorders and T2DM.

T2DM in thyroid dysfunction is thought to be caused by altered gene expression of a group of genes, as well as physiological abnormalities that result in decreased glucose uptake increased, splanchnic glucose absorption, disposal in muscles, increased hepatic glucose output. Additionally, both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can develop in subclinical hypothyroidism as a result of a reduced rate of insulin-stimulated glucose transfer caused by a translocation of the glucose transporter type 2 (GLUT 2) gene. On the other hand, novel missense variations in (Thr92Ala) can cause insulin resistance. Furthermore insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia resulting from diabetes can cause culminate in goitrous transformation of the thyroid gland.

Thyroid-related diseases and T2DM are closely linked. Type 2 diabetes can be exacerbated by thyroid disorders, and diabetes can worsen thyroid dysfunction. Insulin resistance has been found to play a crucial role in both T2DM and thyroid dysfunction. Therefore, failure to recognize inadequate thyroid hormone levels in diabetes and insulin resistance in both conditions can lead to poor management of patients.

Metabolic comorbidities and the association with risks of recurrent metastatic disease in breast cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

Obesity and other metabolic comorbidities affect over 10% of patients with breast cancer and are closely related with adverse outcomes. Although metabolic comorbidities among breast cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries are suggested to be lower, only a few studies are currently available. Effective management of metabolic comorbidities in cancer patients has been associated with better outcomes.

METHODS

Non-metastatic breast cancer patients (N = 1081) treated in our department (2014-2018) were monitored for the presence of high Body Mass Index (BMI), diabetes or glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension and the development of recurrent metastatic diseases during a median follow-up of 3.9 years.

RESULTS

Glucose intolerance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and BMI ≥ 27.7 kg/m² considered at risk for metabolic comorbidities were found in 26.5, 42.6, 27.7, and 23.3% of breast cancer patients, respectively. Diabetes or glucose intolerance and having both glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia were associated with the risk of recurrent metastatic disease (OR = 1.442, 95%CI = 1.071-1.943, p = 0.016 and OR = 1.495, 95%CI = 1.090-2.049, p = 0.010; respectively). Having three or more metabolic comorbidities was significantly associated with the risk of recurrent metastatic disease (OR = 1.647, 95%CI = 1.139-2.382, p = 0.008) compared to patients without any comorbidity. The metabolic comorbidities were distributed unevenly among breast cancer subtypes. A significant association with recurrent metastatic disease was found in the Luminal B-like subtype. In post-menopausal patients, having more than three comorbidities was associated with a higher risk of recurrent metastatic disease compared to those without any comorbidity (OR = 2.000, 95%CI = 1.035-3.067, p = 0.001). The risks of having three or more metabolic comorbidities were significantly higher in breast cancer survivors who were obese, lived in an urban area, and received hormonal therapy of aromatase inhibitors.

CONCLUSION

Metabolic comorbidities were frequently found in breast cancer patients and were associated with higher risks to develop recurrent metastatic disease, particularly in post-menopausal women. Subsequent larger studies are needed to better understand the association of metabolic comorbidities with patients' quality of life and prognosis, and to explore the potential combination of clinical intervention and lifestyle modification in breast cancer survivors to treat as well as reduce their impact.

Health literacy and exercise interventions on clinical outcomes in Chinese patients with diabetes: a propensity score-matched comparison

INTRODUCTION

Patients with diabetes in China have low health literacy, which likely leads to poor clinical outcomes. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of health literacy and exercise interventions on clinical measurements in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted from February 2015 through April 2017 in Shanghai, China. 799 patients with T2DM aged 18 years or older recruited from eight Community Healthcare Centers were randomized into one control arm and three intervention arms receiving 1-year health literacy intervention, exercise intervention or both as the comprehensive intervention. Propensity score matching was employed to minimize potential imbalance in randomization. The intervention-attributable effects on main clinical outcomes were estimated using a difference-in-difference regression approach.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, 634 patients were included in the analysis. The three intervention groups had decreased hemoglobin A1c (A1c) level after 12 months of intervention. The largest adjusted decrease was observed in the health literacy group (-0.95%, 95% CI: -1.30 to -0.59), followed by the exercise group (-0.81%, 95% CI: -1.17 to -0.45). However, A1c was observed to increase in the health literacy and the comprehensive groups from 12 to 24 months. No obvious changes were observed for other measurements including high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

CONCLUSIONS

Health literacy and exercise-focused interventions improve glycemic control in Chinese patients with diabetes after 12 months of intervention, and the health literacy intervention shows the greatest effect. Our results suggest that the interventions may have the potential to improve diabetes self-management and reduce diabetes burden in China.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN76130594.

Thyroid Dysfunction and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Screening Strategies and Implications for Management

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and thyroid dysfunction (TD) often tend to coexist in patients. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are more common in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients than in their nondiabetic counterparts. Current guidelines are neither clear nor specific about the frequency of thyroid function monitoring in T2DM patients. Circulating thyroid hormones affect several different organs and cells, have a major impact on glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism, and can worsen glycaemic control in T2DM. Hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis can worsen subclinical DM and cause hyperglycaemia in T2DM patients, increasing the risk of diabetic complications. T2DM reduces thyroid-stimulating hormone levels and impairs the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) in the peripheral tissues. Poorly managed T2DM can lead to insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia, which causes thyroid tissue proliferation and increases nodule formation and goitre size. In addition, while metformin can be beneficial in both T2DM and TD patients, other antidiabetics such as sulfonylureas, pioglitazone, and thiazolidinediones can negatively impact TD. Antithyroid drugs such as methimazole can impair glycaemic control in T2DM patients. Thyrovigilance in T2DM patients and diabetovigilance in TD patients may therefore be necessary to facilitate individualized care and management.Funding: Abbott India Ltd.

Health literacy and exercise-focused interventions on clinical measurements in Chinese diabetes patients: A cluster randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The diabetes patients in China have low health literacy and low levels of physical activities which may result in the poor glycemic control and other clinical outcomes. This study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of health literacy and exercise-focused interventions on clinical outcomes among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

METHODS

In this cluster randomized controlled trial, 799 T2DM patients with the most recent A1c ≥ 7·5% (58 mmol/mol, or fasting glucose level ≥10 mmol/L) were recruited from 35 clinics in 8 communities in Shanghai, China, and randomized into one standard care (control) arm and three intervention arms receiving interventions focused on health literacy, exercise or both. A1c (primary outcome), blood pressure and lipids (secondary outcomes) were measured at baseline, 3-, 6-, 12-months of intervention period and 12-months after completion of the interventions. This trial is registered with the International Standard RCT Number Register, number ISRCTN76130594.

FINDINGS

The three intervention groups had more reductions in A1c than the control group, with 0·90% reduction in the health literacy, 0·83% in the exercise and 0·54% in the comprehensive group at 12-months (p<0·001) and these improvements remained even after a 1-year follow-up period post intervention. The risk of suboptimal A1c (≥7·0% or 53 mmol/mol) was also significantly lower in three intervention groups than control group at each follow-up visit, with adjusted risk ratios (RR) ranging from 0.06 to 0.16. However, the control group has greater reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) than the health literacy group from baseline to 12-months (β=0·55, p<0·0001) and from baseline to 24-months (β=0·62, p<0·0001). A higher risk of abnormal LDL was also observed for the health literacy group at 12-months [adjusted risk ratio (RR): 2·22, 95%CI: 1·11-4·44] and 24-months [adjusted risk ratio (RR): 2·37, 95%CI: 1·16-4·87] compared to the control group. No significant benefits in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and low-density lipoprotein (HDL) were observed from the interventions compared to the usual care.

INTERPRETATION

The health literacy and exercise interventions result in significant improvements in A1c. However, no significant benefits in blood pressure and lipids control were observed. These effective interventions may have potential of scaling up in China and other countries to help diabetes patients manage their blood glucose levels.

FUNDING

This Study was supported by the China Medical Board (CMB) Open Competition Project (No.13-159) and the Social Science Fund of China National Ministry of Education (No.14YJAZH092).

Cancer risk among patients with type 2 diabetes: A real-world study in Shanghai, China

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of 23 common types of cancer among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared with the general Chinese population.

METHODS

Based on the Shanghai Hospital Link database, 410 191 patients with T2D (age 20-99 years) were identified from July 2013 to December 2016, and were followed-up for cancer incidence until December 2017.

RESULTS

In all, 8485 cases of newly diagnosed cancer were identified. The standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of total cancer were 1.34 and 1.62 among males and females, respectively. Among males with T2D, the risk of cancer of the prostate (highest SIR of 1.86), blood (leukemia, lymphoma), skin, thyroid, kidney, liver, pancreas, lung, colorectum, and stomach was increased significantly. There was a significant decrease in the risk of esophageal cancer. In females with T2D, there were significantly greater risks of cancer of the nasopharynx (highest SIR of 2.33), liver, esophagus, thyroid, lung, pancreas, blood (lymphoma, leukemia), uterus, colorectum, breast, cervix, and stomach. In contrast, there was significantly decrease risk of gallbladder cancer in females with T2D.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows significantly increased risks of overall and some site-specific cancers among patients with T2D. We suggest that establishing strategies for regular cancer-specific screening and prevention care among patients with T2D are necessary.