Diabetes tied to increased risk for endometrial cancer

Takeaway

• This meta-analysis suggests that women with diabetes are at increased risk for endometrial cancer compared to those without diabetes.

Why this matters

• Multiple studies have shown a positive association between diabetes and the incidence of endometrial cancer with several biological mechanisms.
• Findings may be useful in developing endometrial cancer prevention plans for women with diabetes.

Study design

• 22 studies (13, case-control; 9, cohort) met eligibility criteria after a search across electronic databases.
• Funding: Systematic Review Network Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences.

Key results

• Pooled result of 14 studies showed that diabetes was associated with an increased risk for endometrial cancer (relative risk [RR], 1.72; 95% CI, 1.48-2.01; I², 66.7%).
• The risk for endometrial cancer was higher in women with diabetes in cohort (RR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.21-2.01; I², 69.0%) and case-control studies (RR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.53-2.23; I², 60.7%).
• Pooled results of hospital-based studies vs other studies showed a higher risk for endometrial cancer in women with diabetes (RR, 4.10; 95% CI, 2.09-8.01).
• 3 of the primary studies adjusted for body mass index showed that diabetes was associated with higher risk for endometrial cancer (RR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.14-5.26).
• Similarly, 4 of the primary studies adjusted for weight demonstrated a higher risk for endometrial cancer in women with diabetes (RR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.22-2.94).

Limitations

• Heterogeneity among studies.
• Study did not mention the duration of diabetes and type of treatment.