Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of gastric cancer: A meta-analysis

Abstract

AIM: To systematically assess the association between diabetes mellitus and the risk of gastric cancer. METHODS: We searched Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and CBN databases from January 1990 to July 2013. We also searched the references of qualifying articles. Cohort studies comparing the risk of gastric cancer between diabetic patients and control subjects were included. Fifteen studies met our criteria, and the quality of these studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model (DerSimonian- Laird method). RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed an increased gastric cancer risk in diabetic patients [relative risk (RR) = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.11-1.19]. CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus may increase the risk of gastric cancer. © 2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.