Prostate cancer mortality in Taiwanese men: Increasing age-standardized trend in general population and increased risk in diabetic men

Background. To evaluate the trend of prostate cancer mortality in Taiwanese general population and the association between diabetes and prostate cancer mortality. Materials and methods. In the general population during 1995-2006, the trends of prostate cancer mortality were evaluated, followed by calculation of age-specific mortality rates for age 40-64, 65-74, and >= 75 years. A cohort of 102,651 diabetic men aged >= 40 years recruited in 1995-1998 was followed prospectively. Results. The trends of crude and age-standardized mortality from prostate cancer in the general population increased significantly (P < 0.0001). In the general population, 7,966 men aged >= 40 years died of prostate cancer, and aging was associated with increased risk. Age-specific prostate cancer mortality suggested significantly increasing trend for ages 65-74 and >= 75 years. A total of 321 diabetic men died of prostate cancer (crude mortality rate 41.9/100,000 person-years). Mortality rate ratios (95% confidence interval) showed higher risk of prostate cancer mortality in the diabetic patients, with magnitude increased with decreasing age: 1.55 (1.29-1.86), 2.68 (2.29-3.13), and 6.84 (5.34-8.75) for age >= 75, 65-74, and 40-64 years, respectively. Conclusions. Prostate cancer mortality in the Taiwanese general population is increasing. Diabetic patients have a higher risk of prostate cancer mortality, which is more remarkable with decreasing age.