Postoperative Blood Glucose Levels Impact Overall Survival in Non-Diabetic Gastric Cancer Patients

Strategic Insights -

New research highlights the importance of managing blood glucose levels in non-diabetic gastric cancer patients after surgery. A study conducted by researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University found that postoperative hyperglycemia is common in gastric cancer patients, and that it can negatively impact overall survival.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 349 patients who underwent curative surgery for gastric cancer between March 2017 and June 2021.
  • Patients were stratified into groups based on postoperative blood glucose levels, and differences in overall survival were analyzed.
  • Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses identified age over 65, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, visceral adipose tissue index (VATI), surgical approach, pTNM stage, and postoperative hyperglycemia as independent predictors of overall survival.
  • Preoperative body composition parameters, such as VATI, subcutaneous adipose tissue index, skeletal muscle density, random venous plasma glucose, hemoglobin, and total protein, were significantly correlated with postoperative blood glucose levels.
  • The study found a significant negative mediating effect of postoperative blood glucose in the association between VATI and survival outcomes, with a 12.9% reduction in survival rate (95%CI: -32.1% to -2.0%, p = 0.024).
  • The findings suggest that postoperative glycemic control in non-diabetic patients should receive sufficient attention, with proactive prevention and management strategies to improve patient outcomes.
  • The study's authors, Ning Lan, Min Lai, Ying Gao, Xuan Wang, Min Chen, Shuheng Bai, Junyang Wang, Wenzhen Yuan, and Juan Ren, highlight the need for further research into the relationship between postoperative blood glucose and survival outcomes in non-diabetic gastric cancer patients.

Statistics:

  • The study included 349 patients who underwent curative surgery for gastric cancer between March 2017 and June 2021.
  • Postoperative hyperglycemia occurred in 61.5% of patients (213 out of 349).
  • Age over 65 was present in 34.5% of patients (120 out of 349).
  • Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 24.5% of patients (86 out of 349).
  • Postoperative blood glucose levels were significantly higher in patients with visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) > 16.5 cm^2/m^2.
  • The median overall survival rate was 21.9 months, with a 95% confidence interval of 17.1 to 27.4 months.

Sources:

  • The mediating role of postoperative blood glucose in the relationship between body composition and overall survival in non-diabetic gastric cancer patients. BMC Cancer, 2025, 25(1):1-11.
  • First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University.
  • Obesity & Diabetes Week. June 23, 2025; p 79.