Diabetes, metformin use, and colon cancer: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
A retrospective cohort study, using a population-based reimbursement database, was conducted for investigating the relationship between diabetes and colon cancer and assessing whether metformin had a protective effect.


METHODS
Overall, 493,704 men and 502,139 women, covered by the National Health Insurance, without colon cancer were followed from 2003 to 2005. Cox regression evaluated the adjusted relative risk (RR), considering confounders and detection examinations.


RESULTS
Even though diabetes patients had a significantly higher probability of receiving examinations that could lead to the detection of colon cancer, they had a significantly higher risk (24%) of this cancer after adjustment. Metformin users had a significantly lower risk (27%) of colon cancer. While comparing patients with diabetes for <1, 1-3, and ≥ 3 years to nondiabetes individuals, the adjusted RR (95% confidence interval) was 1.308 (1.020-1.679), 1.087 (0.900-1.313), and 1.185 (1.055-1.330) respectively. The higher risk among those with diabetes for <1 year suggested a possible reverse causality or a link with prediabetes. However, diabetes still might play some role in the development of colon cancer in those with diabetes for ≥ 3 years. The duration of metformin use showed an inverse trend, with a significant RR of 0.643 (0.490-0.845) in users for ≥ 3 years, when compared with nonusers. In addition, metformin may reduce colon cancer risk associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a surrogate for smoking).


CONCLUSIONS
Following adjustment for potential detection bias and other covariates, diabetes remains a significant risk factor for colon cancer. Metformin may protect against colon cancer.
Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. ccktsh@ms6.hinet.net
Chin-Hsiao
CH
Tseng
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin