Independent associations between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cancer among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

backgroundThe risk association between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and cancer remains controversial and largely unexplored for people not receiving statin therapy.

methodsWe examined the risk association between LDL cholesterol and cancer among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were free of cancer at enrolment and whose statin use was known. We considered a variety of nonlinear relationships in our analysis.

resultsDuring a median follow-up period of 4.90 years, cancer developed in 270 (4.4%) of 6107 patients. Among the 3800 patients who did not receive statin therapy, the risk association between LDL cholesterol and cancer was represented by a V-shaped curve. Compared with patients whose LDL cholesterol was at least 2.80 mmol/L but less than 3.80 mmol/L, the risk of cancer, death from any cause or the composite outcome of cancer or death was greater among those with an LDL cholesterol level of less than 2.80 mmol/L (hazard ratio for cancer 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-2.52) and those with an LDL cholesterol level of 3.80 mmol/L or greater (hazard ratio for cancer 1.87, 95% CI 1.29-2.71). Using 3.8 mmol/L as a reference point, we found that the hazard ratio for cancer for every millimole per litre absolute change in LDL cholesterol was 1.54 (95% CI 1.19-1.99) among patients not using statins; the hazard ratio was reduced to 1.24 (1.01-1.53) for the entire sample (statin users and those not using statins). These associations persisted after adjustment for covariates and exclusion of patients with less than 2.5 years of follow-up.

interpretationAmong patients with type 2 diabetes, the association between LDL cholesterol and cancer was V-shaped, whereby both low and high levels of LDL cholesterol were associated with elevated risk of cancer.