HbA1c is Positively Associated with Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in Patients with Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: To explore the influence of glycemic levels on the serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in patients with diabetes. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Patients with diabetes aged 18–75 years old were recruited. Those patients with carcinoma, abnormal renal function (serum creatinine ≥ 115 μmol/l), and abnormal hepatic function (serum alanine aminotransferase ≥ 97.5 U/l) were excluded in this study. Blood samples were obtained from every patient after an overnight fasting, and CEA was determined using a chemiluminescent particle immunoassay. RESULTS: A total of 324 patients with type 1 diabetes and 3019 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in this study. Patients with type 1 diabetes had higher levels of HbA1c (9.5% vs. 8.7%) and CEA (2.79 vs. 2.34 ng/ml), but lower fasting C peptide (0.72 vs. 1.71 ng/ml) than those with type 2 diabetes (all P < 0.001). Data indicated that CEA was higher in patients with smoking, drinking, older age, higher levels of HbA1c, and lower level of fasting C peptide (all P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that CEA was independently associated with smoking, age, BMI, and HbA1c (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HbA1c was positively associated with the levels of CEA in patients with diabetes. More studies are warranted to investigate whether elevated CEA is associated with increased carcinoma risk in patients with diabetes.