title: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer: A veteran administration registry study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The etiology of pancreatic cancer remains elusive. Several studies have suggested a role for diabetes mellitus, but the magnitude of its contribution remains controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Utilizing a large administrative database, this retrospective cohort study was designed to investigate the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Veterans Integrated Services Network 16 database, 322,614 subjects were enrolled in the study, including 110,919 with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 211,695 diabetes-free controls matched by gender, year of birth and healthcare facility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significantly higher incidence of pancreatic cancer was observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with an adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.17 (1.70-2.77) for type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to controls (p < 10-9) after controlling for the matching factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer was statistically significant and may, in part, explain the rising incidence of pancreatic cancer.
authors.affiliation: Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Issam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Makhoul
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Abdulraheem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yacoub
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Siegel
keywords: Pancreatic cancer; hyperinsulinemia; pancreatic cancer-induced diabetes mellitus; type 2 diabetes mellitus