Serum insulin level, HOMA-IR and prostate cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aims: This meta-analysis study was performed to assess serum insulin level and insulin resistance status in prostate cancer patients in observational studies.

Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was performed for observational studies in Scopus, PubMed, Ovid and ISI Web of Science up to July 2017.

Results: From 2070 publication were searched firstly, only 10 studies with 9 and 6 arms included for the meta-analysis assessing serum insulin level and HOMA-IR status in prostate cancer patients, respectively. Pooled effects analysis showed that the Fasting insulin level was significantly higher in men with prostate cancer compared to control group (WMD = 2.12 μ IU/ml, 95%CI; 0.26, 3.99; P = 0.02). Sub-group analysis showed that the elevation in serum insulin level takes place only in patients with ages more than 65 years old (WMD = 3.88 μ IU/ml, 95%CI; 2.28, 5.48; P < 0.001). HOMA-IR was no significantly different between study groups. However, the difference got statistically significant after sub-grouping patients based on their age (WMD = 1.37, 95% CI; 0.61, 2.12; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this meta-analysis study showed higher fasting serum insulin and HOMA-IR levels especially in patients with ages more than 65 years..

Keywords: HOMA-IR; Insulin resistance; Meta-analysis; Prostate cancer.