Introduction: The aim of this study is to compare CA 19-9 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and healthy control group. The relation of CA 19-9 levels to metabolic control and microvascular complications in patients with diabetes was also investigated.
Methods: Three hundred forty patients with type 2 DM and age-, sex- and body mass index-matched 214 healthy controls group were included in the study. HbA₁(c), duration of DM and microvascular complications of DM were reviewed. CA 19-9 levels (normal range, 0-35 U/mL) were measured in all participants.
Results: Median CA 19-9 level was significantly higher in patients with diabetes compared with control group [19.5 U/mL (0-214.8 U/mL) versus 7.4 U/mL (0.4-47.0 U/mL)] (P < 0.001). Prevalence of high CA 19-9 levels in patients with diabetes was 31.2%, and CA 19-9 level was positively correlated with age, duration of diabetes, HbA₁(c) and number of complications. Effects of duration of diabetes, HbA₁(c) and diabetic nephropathy were still continuing in multiple linear regression analysis. Using regression coefficients of all variables in multiple regression analysis, this study tried to determine a new cutoff value for CA 19-9 level in patients with diabetes. The cutoff value at 97th percentile was 57.14 U/mL.
Conclusions: High CA 19-9 value in patients with diabetes may indicate the need for a careful evaluation of blood glucose regulation and investigation of complications. Defining a new cutoff value in these patients would prevent unnecessary laboratory or imaging procedures.