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  • Original Article
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Clinical Research

The association of diabetes and positive prostate biopsy in a US veteran population

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 15, pages 70–74 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Background:

Several studies have shown a protective effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on incidence of prostate cancer; however, the data are not consistent. Moreover, whether or not DM is associated with a positive result among patients referred for prostate biopsy due to abnormal PSA and/or abnormal digital rectal examination is not clear.

Methods:

A retrospective review of 3162 consecutive men who underwent prostate biopsy between January 2000 and July 2009 at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center was performed. Men with positive and negative biopsies were compared for various demographic and clinical factors. The data were analyzed using logistic regression models with results expressed as adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results:

DM was associated with increased odds of positive biopsy in the overall cohort (OR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01–1.55; P=0.04). Subjects with DM had higher odds of more aggressive disease (Gleason ⩾7) than those without the condition (OR 1.31, 95% CI: 0.98–1.74; P=0.07). Race had no significant impact on these results.

Conclusions:

In this large series of prostate biopsies, diabetes is associated with higher odds of positive biopsy and higher Gleason grade. More studies investigating the role of DM and its associated comorbidities in prostate carcinogenesis are needed.

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Author notes

  1. K A Moses

    Present address: 4Current address: Department of Surgery, Urology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.,

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA

    K A Moses & M M Issa

  2. Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    K A Moses & M M Issa

  3. Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    O A Utuama & M Goodman

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  1. K A Moses
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  2. O A Utuama
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  3. M Goodman
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  4. M M Issa
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Correspondence to M M Issa.

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Moses, K., Utuama, O., Goodman, M. et al. The association of diabetes and positive prostate biopsy in a US veteran population. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 15, 70–74 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcan.2011.40

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