Survival and glycemic control in patients with colorectal cancer and diabetes mellitus

AIM: The impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on survival in patients with colorectal cancer and the impact of colorectal cancer on glycemic control were examined. MATERIALS & METHODS: Patients with colorectal cancer with and without DM were matched 1:1 (2007–2015). Characteristics were compared between the two groups and survival assessed with the Kaplan–Meier method. Mixed models compared hemoglobin A(1c) and glucose levels over time. RESULTS: In both groups, glucose values decreased during the year following cancer diagnosis (p < 0.001). 5-year overall survival was 56% (95% CI: 42–68%) for DM patients versus 57% (95% CI: 43–69%) for non-DM patients (p = 0.62). CONCLUSION: DM did not adversely impact survival of patients with colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer did not affect glycemic control.