The association between diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer: a meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization.

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the US, and it has a high mortality rate. Diabetes mellitus is also a dangerous health condition. While some studies have examined the relationship between diabetes mellitus and the risk of prostate cancer, there is still some debate on the matter. This study aims to carefully assess the relationship between prostate cancer and diabetes from both real-world and genetic-level data.

METHODS

This meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 reporting guidelines. The study searched three databases including Medline, Embase and Cochrane. The studies about the incidence risk of prostate cancer with diabetes mellitus were included and used to evaluate the association. The odds ratio (OR), risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using Random Effects models and Fixed Effects models. Mendelian randomization study using genetic variants was also conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 72 articles were included in this study. The results showed that risk of prostate cancer decreased in diabetes patients. And the influence was different in different regions. This study also estimated the impact of body mass index (BMI) in the diabetes populations and found that the risk decreased in higher BMI populations. The MR analysis found that diabetes mellitus exposure reduced the risk of prostate cancer in the European population and Asia populations. Conclusions The diabetes mellitus has a protective effect on prostate cancer. And the influence of obesity in diabetes mellitus plays an important role in this effect.