Background : Previous studies reported an increased risk of pancreatic cancer among diabetes patients, and fasting blood glucose level is widely used to determine the presence of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of fasting blood glucose level on pancreatic cancer death by a large, prospective cohort study in Korean population.
Methods : A total of 1,306,476 participants in the Korean Cancer Prevention Study (KCPS) were enrolled. A health examination including fasting blood glucose level and life style questionnaire was done as a baseline examination from 1993 to 1995, and they were followed up to 2002. Pancreatic cancer death outcome for 10 years according to the fasting blood glucose level was explored.
Results : At the beginning 63,510 (4.9%) participants had diabetes mellitus. In multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, controlling for age and current smoking, the presence of diabetes increased the risk of mortality for pancreatic cancer excluding those who died of pancreatic cancer within 1 year (Men: HR 1.7; 95% CI, 1.4∼2.1, P<0.0001, Women: HR 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3∼2.6, P=0.0003). As fasting blood glucose level, elevated the pancreatic cancer risk was increased. Men with fasting blood glucose level≥140 mg/dL had a higher risk of pancreatic cancer than those with FBG<100 mg/dl. (Men: HR 2.0; 95% CI, 1.6∼2.5, P<0.0001, Women: HR 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4∼3.1, P=0.0002).
Conclusion : Elevated fasting blood glucose level increased the risk of pancreatic cancer death among Koreans.