Improved prognosis in gastric adenocarcinoma among metformin users in a population-based study

Background Metformin may improve the prognosis in gastric adenocarcinoma, but the existing literature is limited and contradictory. Methods This was a Swedish population-based cohort study of diabetes patients who were diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma in 2005-2018 and followed up until December 2019. The data were retrieved from four national health data registries: Prescribed Drug Registry, Cancer Registry, Patient Registry and Cause of Death Registry. Associations between metformin use before the gastric adenocarcinoma diagnosis and the risk of disease-specific and all-cause mortality were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were adjusted for sex, age, calendar year, comorbidity, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin, and use of statins. Results Compared with non-users, metformin users had a decreased risk of disease-specific mortality (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.67-0.93) and all-cause mortality (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.68-0.90). The associations were seemingly stronger among patients of female sex (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49-0.89), patients with tumour stage III or IV (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.58-0.88), and those with the least comorbidity (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.89). Conclusions Metformin use may improve survival in gastric adenocarcinoma among diabetes patients.

Automated summary

The study suggests that the use of metformin in diabetes patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma may reduce the risk of disease-specific and all-cause mortality, particularly in female patients, patients with tumor stage III or IV, and those with the least comorbidity.