Relation between diabetes, metformin treatment and the occurrence of malignancies in a Belgian primary care setting

Ngwana, G., Aerts, M., Truyers, C., Mathieu, C., Bartholomeeusen, S., Wami, W. and Buntinx, F. (2012) Relation between diabetes, metformin treatment and the occurrence of malignancies in a Belgian primary care setting. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 97(2), pp. 331-336. (doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2012.02.002) (PMID:22386769)

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Abstract

Background: Associations between type 2 diabetic patients and a higher risk of developing cancer have been reported worldwide. Recently, a protective effect of metformin has been described. Aim: To examine in the Belgian primary care population the relation between presence of type 2 diabetes with and without metformin treatment and the occurrence of malignancies. Design of study: Retrospective cohort study, based on the Intego database, an ongoing Belgian general practice-based morbidity registry, covering 90 general practitioners and including about 1.5 million patient-years between 1994 and 2008. Method: Cox proportional hazard analysis comparing emergence of malignancy in patients with and without type 2 diabetes, and among patients with diabetes comparing emergence of malignancy in those treated with various antidiabetic drugs. Results: Malignancies occurred more in type 2 diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic controls (HR = 1.84; 95% CI = 1.51–2.24), adjusted for age, gender and weight. Treatment with both metformin and ‘other’ antidiabetic agents was related to decreased cancer risk (HR = 0.24 and 0.22) compared to diet only in men but not in women. Conclusion: In this Belgian primary care setting, diabetic patients have higher cancer prevalences than non-diabetic patients. Moreover, in diabetic men, not only metformin but also other antidiabetic agents were associated with lower cancer risks.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Wami, Welcome
Authors: Ngwana, G., Aerts, M., Truyers, C., Mathieu, C., Bartholomeeusen, S., Wami, W., and Buntinx, F.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
Journal Name:Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0168-8227
ISSN (Online):1872-8227
Published Online:01 March 2012

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