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The Effect of Metformin on Survival Outcomes of Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Behrouzi B, Zokaasadi M, Mohagheghi MA, Emami AH, Sadighi S

Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP, 2021

217 participants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are still inconsistencies about the role of metformin on breast cancer. This study was designed to assess metformin's effect on the prognosis of female breast cancer patients with type II diabetes.

METHODS: The present research was carried out as a retrospective cohort study between 2003 and 2014. Breast cancer patients with pre-existing type II diabetes mellitus were included. Overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were measured as the main endpoints. Kaplan-Meier estimate was used to calculate survival rates.

RESULTS: 217 patients were included with a mean age of 53.32±11.10 years. 148 (68.2%) patients were prescribed metformin and 69 (31.8%) took other antidiabetic drugs (non-metformin group). Five-year OS and RFS rates for all patients were 82.5% (95% CI: 76.0%-87.4%) and 71.1% (95% CI: 64.2%-77.0%) respectively. Log-rank test showed that the metformin group had a significant advantage over the non-metformin group in terms of both OS and RFS rates (p.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 217 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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