Postload plasma glucose concentration and 27-year prostate cancer mortality (United States)

Objective: Findings from epidemiologic studies on the association between d iabetes and prostate cancer risk are inconsistent. However, data from at le ast three studies suggest that the direction and strength of this associati on differs according to duration of diabetes. To determine the potential ef fects of early-stage abnormal glucose metabolism on risk, we assessed the r elationship of postload glycemia in the absence of self-reported diabetes w ith risk of prostate cancer mortality. Methods: Data from the Chicago Heart Association Detection Project in Indus try were used to examine this relationship. Between 1967 and 1973 some empl oyees of 84 Chicago area organizations underwent a health screening examina tion. Blood was drawn for measurement of plasma glucose concentration simil ar to1 h after a 50-g oral glucose load among 20,433 men. After a mean leng th of follow-up of 27 years, 176 men died of prostate cancer. Cox regressio n was used to compute adjusted relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence inte rvals (CIs). Results: After controlling for age, body mass index, heart rate, education, and race, the RRs of prostate cancer mortality for postload plasma glucose levels of 6.7-8.8, 8.9-11, and greater than or equal to 11.1 mmol/L compar ed to less than or equal to 6.6 mmol/L were 1.64, 1.37, and 1.64, respectiv ely (p for trend = 0.19). The RR (95% CI) associated with a 2.2 mmol/L (1 s tandard deviation) higher glucose concentration was 1.1 (0.95-1.2). Conclusions: These results provide weak evidence of an association between hyperglycemia and prostate cancer mortality.