Study of the Association Between Antihyperglycemic Therapy and Cancer in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The objective of the research was to investigate the features and association of antihyperglycemic therapy and cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods. The study included the analysis of medical records of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were diagnosed with cancer during 2012-2016. The obtained results were processed by statistical methods using the software packages Microsoft Excel and Statistika-12. The significance of differences between the frequency of using different treatment schemes was assessed by the Pearson’s test (χ²). To determine the risk of predicted events, the odds ratio, the 95% confidence interval, the positive and negative prognostic values were calculated. Results. There were diagnosed 533 cases of cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The most common scheme of antihyperglycemic therapy prior to the detection of malignant diseases was a combination of metformin and sulfonylurea derivatives (35.65%), as well as monotherapy with sulfonylurea derivatives (17.26%) and metformin (11.28%). Prior to diagnosing cancer in 396 (74.30%) patients, antihyperglycemic therapy along with sulfonylurea derivatives and insulin was used. Among obese patients 68.82% used sulfonylureas and insulin as part of antidiabetic therapy before diagnosis of cancer. The connection between insulin therapy and the risk of cancer development in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was proved (the odds ratio=2.35; the 95% confidence interval (1.91 - 2.91); p< 0.001). Conclusions. Prior to the detection of cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the combination therapy with metformin and sulfonylurea derivatives was most often used. The association between insulin therapy and the development of cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was revealed. Cancer screening is advisable for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, who receive as a therapy sulfonylurea derivates and/or insulin.