Recent onset diabetes is associated with better survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma-An analysis of preoperative symptoms within the DGAV StuDoQ|Pancreas Registry.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This multicenter study analyzed the relationship between preoperative symptoms and postsurgical outcomes utilizing the German national DGAV StuDoQ|Pancreas database. METHODS: This retrospective study included 2,643 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients undergoing pancreatic head resection from 2013-2017 within the German pancreatic surgery registry (DGAV StuDoQ|Pancreas). The association of preoperative symptoms with overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Preoperative symptoms were common, with 2,380 of 2,643 (90%) patients presenting with any one or more of the following symptoms jaundice (40%), biliary obstruction treated with biliary stent (41%), pain (37%), weight loss (29%), nausea (18%), diabetes (31%), emesis (6%), and recent onset diabetes (5%). Patients were separated into 3 groups no symptoms (n = 293), symptoms (n = 2,229), and recent onset diabetes (n = 121). The 3 groups differed in body mass index and nodal staging, where patients with recent onset diabetes had the highest values (body mass index no symptoms 24.5 kg/m2, symptoms 25.1 kg/m2; recent-onset diabetes 26.3 kg/m2, P = .007), (no symptoms N1 55%, N2 10%; symptoms N1 53%, N2 17%; recent-onset diabetes N1 56%, N2 16%, P = .023). Other pathological characteristics, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels, and adjuvant chemotherapy receival did not differ between the groups. Interestingly, recent-onset diabetes was associated with better survival compared with the other groups (Median overall survival 28 months [no symptoms at all], 22 months [symptoms] versus not reached [recent onset diabetes group], and 5-year overall survival rates of 28%, 11%, and 57%, respectively [log rank, P = .013]). Multivariable analysis revealed that recent-onset diabetes and preoperative symptoms were independently associated with overall survival (recent-onset diabetes, relative risk 0.052 P = .027, >5 symptoms relative risk 3.66, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma symptoms occured in up to 90% of patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In addition, PDAC symptoms were associated with overall survival and might identify unique pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma subtypes.