ELEVATED SERUM CA19-9 LEVELS IN POORLY CONTROLLED DIABETIC-PATIENTS -RELATIONSHIP WITH LEWIS BLOOD-GROUP

Many non-malignant diseases may be associated with elevated serum CA19 -9 levels. Recent reports suggest that diabetes mellitus may also be r esponsible for some elevations. In this study we investigated the infl uence of the glycaemic level and Lewis phenotype on the serum CA19-9 l evels in diabetic patients. In 15 out of 84 patients (17.8 %) serum CA 19-9 exceeded 100 kU/L (highest value: 208 kU/L). CA19-9 concentration s were significantly correlated with glycosylated haemoglobin levels. On the other hand, no correlation was Sound between CA19-9 levels and the type of diabetes, lipase levels, or the presence of anti-islet cel l antibodies. Le(a-b-) patients had significantly lower serum CA19-9 l evels. This study emphasizes the frequency of CA19-9 elevations in dia betic patients without cancer.