Insulin Resistance and Gastric Cancer: Nationwide Study Highlights Complex Relationship

Strategic Insights -

A recent study from Dong-A University College of Medicine in Busan, South Korea, has explored the association between insulin resistance and gastric cancer in South Korean individuals. The research, published in the journal Medicine, analyzed claims data from the National Health Insurance Service and a cohort of 316,129 individuals aged 40 years or older who participated in the National Health Screening Program between 2009 and 2010. The study found that none of the insulin resistance markers were significantly associated with gastric cancer, but crude data revealed a higher incidence of gastric cancer in patients with elevated levels of insulin resistance markers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed a cohort of 316,129 individuals aged 40 years or older who participated in the National Health Screening Program between 2009 and 2010.
  • None of the insulin resistance markers (triglyceride-glucose index and the ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were significantly associated with gastric cancer.
  • Crude data revealed a higher incidence of gastric cancer in patients with elevated levels of insulin resistance markers, but no significant differences were observed after accounting for various confounders in the adjusted data.
  • The study suggests that the association between metabolic syndrome, including insulin resistance, and gastric cancer should be evaluated more cautiously.
  • Additional research is needed to fully understand the relationship between insulin resistance and gastric cancer.
  • The study highlights the importance of careful analysis and consideration of confounding factors in epidemiological studies.

Statistics:

  • 316,129 individuals aged 40 years or older participated in the National Health Screening Program between 2009 and 2010.
  • The follow-up period for the dataset was extended to December 31, 2019.
  • None of the insulin resistance markers were significantly associated with gastric cancer in the adjusted data.
  • Crude data revealed a higher incidence of gastric cancer in patients with elevated levels of insulin resistance markers.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Studies from Dong-A University College of Medicine Provide New Data on Insulin Resistance (Association between surrogate markers of insulin resistance and gastric cancer risk in South Korea: A nationwide population-based study). Cancer Weekly. August 19, 2025; p 528.
  • Medicine. Association between surrogate markers of insulin resistance and gastric cancer risk in South Korea: A nationwide population-based study. Medicine, 2025;104(31).