Novelty StatementThis review is the first to systematically evaluate the evidence for a link between HbA1c and cancer risk. It outlines the relationships between HbA1c and the incidence and mortality of all and site-specific cancers. Furthering our understanding of the relationship between HbA1c and cancer is of great clinical and academic interest. This review goes some way to outlining these associations and highlighting areas where more research is needed. 2 AbstractAims Cancer is a major public health problem accounting for 8.2 million deaths worldwide in 2012. Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) is associated with the risk of developing certain cancers, though the existing evidence is conflicting. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the relationship between HbA1c and cancers in people with or without diabetes.Methods Embase, Medline, Cinahl and Cochrane Library were searched. Eligible articles included randomised-controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Participants of either sex, with or without type 1 or 2 diabetes, were included. The studies were assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) criteria by two independent assessors. No meta-analysis was performed due to heterogeneity of results.Results Nineteen studies from 1006 met the inclusion criteria. Fourteen were cohort studies and five nested case control studies. Eight studies investigated outcomes for all cancer sites.Four of these studies reported that higher HbA1c levels were associated with increased incidence and/or mortality risk for all cancers. One study observed a U-shape relationship between HbA1c and cancer incidence and mortality. Increasing HbA1c levels were associated with increased risk of developing colorectal, pancreatic, respiratory and female genital tract cancers. No increased risk was observed for breast cancer, gastrointestinal or urological malignancies.Conclusion HbA1c appears to be associated with cancer incidence and/or cancer mortality.However, further studies are needed to fully understand the complex relationship between HbA1c and cancer.3
Study objective-The aim was to test whether cataract is associated with higher lifetime exposure to sunlight, and whether antioxidants protect against cataract.Design-This was a cross sectional survey of eye disease, with assessment of antioxidant status in a subgroup.Setting-Hong Kong fishing communities in 1989.Participants-685 men and women aged 55 to 74 years old were included in the study, of whom 367 (54%) attended hospital for detailed examination.Measurements and main results-At a mobile clinic visual acuity and lens opacities were assessed, and using a questionnaire, occupational history and lifetime exposure to sunlight. At hospital ophthalmic measurements were repeated and blood was taken for measurement of plasma vitamin C, vitamin E, and total carotenoids, and red cell activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Higher grades of cataract (particularly nuclear cataract) tended to be more common in subjects with the most sun exposure, although not to the point of statistical significance. In contrast to earlier studies, no association was found with antioxidant status.Conclusions-The findings give some support to the hypothesis that sunlight causes cataract. The absence of a relation to antioxidant status may be because blood levels of antioxidants at one point in time do not adequately reflect a subject's past metabolic state, and particularly the past activity of antioxidants in the lens.
A double-blind placebo trial of vitamin C has been undertaken in 94 elderly "long-term" inpatients known to have initially low levels of plasma and leukocyte vitamin C (mean values 0.17 mg/100 ml plasma; 10.1 microgram/10(8) leukocytes). At the end of 2 months treatment, plasma and leukocyte vitamin C had increased considerably in those receiving C supplements, and in this group there were slight but significant increases in the mean values for body weight (0.41 kg), plasma albumin (0.46 g/l), and prealbumin (25.4 mg/l) compared with those receiving placebo therapy where there were decreases of 0.60 kg, 0.53 g/l, and 7.0 mg/l, respectively. There was also some clinical improvement as indicated by reductions in purpura and petechial hemorrhages in those receiving vitamin C, but no changes in mood or mobility were observed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.