Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Among Colorectal Cancer Survivors in a Population-Based Cohort

Background There are an estimated 1.4 million colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors in the United States. Research on endocrine and metabolic diseases over the long term in CRC survivors is limited. Obesity is a risk factor for CRC; thus it is of interest to investigate diseases that may share this risk factor, such as diabetes, for long-term health outcomes among CRC survivors. Methods A total of 7114 CRC patients were identified from the Utah Population Database and matched to a general population cohort of 25979 individuals on birth year, sex, and birth state. Disease diagnoses (assessed over three time periods of 1-5years, 5-10years, and >10years) were identified using electronic medical records and statewide ambulatory and inpatient discharge data. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the risk of endocrine and metabolic disease. Results Across all three time periods, risks for endocrine and metabolic diseases were statistically significantly greater for CRC survivors compared with the general population cohort. At 1-5years postdiagnosis, CRC survivors' risk for diabetes mellitus with complications was statistically significantly elevated (hazard ratio [HR]=1.36, 99% confidence interval [CI]=1.09 to 1.70). CRC survivors also experienced a 40% increased risk of obesity at 1-5years postcancer diagnosis (HR= 1.40, 99% CI= 1.66 to 2.18) and a 50% increased risk at 5-10years postdiagnosis (HR=1.50, 99% CI= 1.16 to 1.95). Conclusions Endocrine and metabolic diseases were statistically significantly higher in CRC survivors throughout the follow-up periods of 1-5years, 5-10years, and more than 10years postdiagnosis. As the number of CRC survivors increases, understanding the long-term trajectory is critical for improved survivorship care.