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Colorectal Cancer Outcomes, Recurrence, and Complications in Persons With and Without Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Abstract

Background

Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of incident colorectal cancer, but it is less clear if pre-existing diabetes mellitus influences mortality outcomes, recurrence risk, and/or treatment-related complications in persons with colorectal cancer.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing colorectal cancer mortality outcomes, cancer recurrence, and treatment-related complications in persons with and without diabetes mellitus. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE through October 1, 2008, including hand-searching references of qualifying articles. We included studies in English that evaluated diabetes mellitus and cancer treatment outcomes, prognosis, and/or mortality. The initial search identified 8,208 titles, of which 15 articles met inclusion criteria. Each article was abstracted by one author using a standardized form and re-reviewed by another author for accuracy. Authors graded quality based on pre-determined criteria.

Results

We found significantly increased short-term perioperative mortality in persons with diabetes mellitus. In the meta-analysis of long-term mortality, persons with diabetes mellitus had a 32% increase in all-cause mortality compared to those without diabetes mellitus (95% CI: 1.24, 1.41). Although data on other outcomes are limited, available studies suggest that pre-existing diabetes mellitus predicts increased risk of some post-operative complications as well as 5-year cancer recurrence. In contrast, there is little evidence that diabetes confers increased risk for long-term cancer-specific mortality.

Conclusions

Patients with colorectal cancer and pre-existing diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of short- and long-term mortality. Future research should determine whether improvements in prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus will improve outcomes for colorectal cancer patients.

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Acknowledgments

Frederick L. Brancati: NIDDK Grant (K24DK062222-06); Hsin Chieh Yeh and Frederick Brancati: NIDDK Diabetes Research and Training Center (P60 DK079637); Kelly B. Stein: NIH T32 Training Grant (T32HP10025-14); Bethany B. Barone: NIH T32 Training Grant (T32 DK062707). There were no financial disclosures or conflicts of interest among the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Kelly B. Stein, Claire F. Snyder, Hsin-Chieh Yeh, Kimberly S. Peairs, Rachel L. Derr & Frederick L. Brancati

  2. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Kelly B. Stein, Claire F. Snyder, Bethany B. Barone, Hsin-Chieh Yeh & Frederick L. Brancati

  3. Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University Medical Institutions, 1650 Orleans St, CRB Room 189, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA

    Antonio C. Wolff

  4. Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Kelly B. Stein

  5. Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 624 N. Broadway, Hampton House, Room 657, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Claire F. Snyder

  6. 2024 East Monument St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Bethany B. Barone

  7. Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 2024 East Monument St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Hsin-Chieh Yeh

  8. Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 10753 Falls Road, Suite 325, Lutherville, MD, 21093, USA

    Kimberly S. Peairs

  9. Center for Medicine Endocrinology and Diabetes, 5667 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Suite 150, Atlanta, GA, 30342, USA

    Rachel L. Derr

  10. Division of General Internal Medicine, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, 2024 East Monument St, Room 2-619, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Frederick L. Brancati

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  1. Kelly B. Stein
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Correspondence to Frederick L. Brancati.

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Stein, K.B., Snyder, C.F., Barone, B.B. et al. Colorectal Cancer Outcomes, Recurrence, and Complications in Persons With and Without Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Dig Dis Sci 55, 1839–1851 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-0944-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-0944-8

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