The Relationship Between Metformin and Serum Prostate-Specific Antigen Levels
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Metformin is the first-line oral antihyperglycemic of choice for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Recent evidence supports a role for metformin in prostate cancer chemoprotection. However, whether metformin indeed influences prostate biology is unknown. We aimed to study the association between metformin and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels-the primary prostate cancer biomarker.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 326 prostate cancer-free men with type 2 diabetes were recruited between 2004 and 2013 at St. Michael's Hospital. Men were excluded if they had a PSA ≥10-ng/ml, or used >2,550-mg/d metformin or supplemental androgens. Multivariate linear regressions quantified the association between metformin dose and log-PSA. Secondary analyses quantified the association between other antihyperglycemics (sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones) and PSA; sensitivity analyses tested covariate interactions.
RESULTS: Median PSA was 0.9-ng/ml (IQR: 0.5-1.6-ng/ml). Metformin dose associated positively with BMI, HbA1c, diabetes duration, and number of statin, acetylsalicylic acid, diuretic users, and number of antihyperglycemics used, and negatively with LDL-C. In multivariate models, PSA changed by -8% (95%CI: -13 to -2%, P = 0.011) per 500-mg/d increase in metformin. Men with diabetes for ≥6 years (n = 163) saw a greater difference in PSA per 500-mg/d metformin (-12% [95% CI: -19 to -4%, P = 0.002], P-interaction = 0.018). Serum PSA did not relate with…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 163 participants or records.
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