Diabetes risk in childhood cancer survivors: A population-based study.

10558 Background: Cure rates for childhood cancer have improved significantly over the last three decades. Diabetes has emerged as a delayed side-effect of treatment for childhood cancer. Methodologic limitations may have led to underestimation of the risk for diabetes in previous studies. Understanding the extent of diabetes risk and identifying risk factors for diabetes is imperative for improving screening and prevention strategies in this population. Methods: We used the Ontario population-based cancer registry and administrative health databases to evaluate the risk of diabetes in adult survivors of childhood cancer. Diabetes was measured using a validated algorithm. Survivors were compared to age and sex-matched controls from the general population using a multivariable, cause-specific hazard regression model where death and development of another cancer was treated as a competing risk. Results: We identified 10,438 1-year survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed prior to age 21 years between January 1 st , 1990 and December 31 st , 2010. Mean age at cancer diagnosis was 10.7 years (standard deviation [SD] 6.8) and the mean follow up was 11.2 years (SD 6.9). In multivariable models adjusted for rurality and income status, cancer survivors had a 55% increased rate of developing diabetes compared to matched controls (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.31-1.83). Individuals treated for cancer between age 6-10 years (HR 4.01, 2.33-6.91) had the highest increased rate for diabetes among age categories. Leukemia (HR 2.39, 1.74-3.27) and lymphoma (HR 1.61, 1.12-2.31) was also associated with an increased risk for diabetes compared to the general population. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence of an increased risk for diabetes in adult survivors of childhood cancer. The increased risk is highest among those treated at younger ages, and after treatment for leukemia and lymphoma. Future research is warranted to identify optimal ways for diabetes screening and prevention in this population. Given the burden of cardiovascular disease in survivors, identifying and treating diabetes early may help improve overall morbidity and mortality.