Diagnostic yield of the plasma free amino acid index for pancreatic cancer in patients with diabetes mellitus

Pancreatology. 2019 Jul;19(5):695-698. doi: 10.1016/j.pan.2019.07.002. Epub 2019 Jul 13.

Abstract

Objectives: A multivariate index calculated using plasma free amino acids (PFAA index) was reported as a diagnostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer (PaC). Although diabetes mellitus (DM) is expected to be an early diagnostic indicator of PaC, identifying the high-risk individuals among patients with DM is warranted. We evaluated the diagnostic yield of the PFAA index for PaC in patients with DM.

Methods: We compared the diagnostic yield of the PFAA index between individuals with and those without DM. Cases and controls were recruited prospectively, and controls were matched to cases at a 1:1 ratio for age, sex, and DM status.

Results: A total of 180 case-control pairs were included in the analysis. The prevalence of DM was 53.3%. The sensitivity of the PFAA index was 66.7% in cases with DM and 56.0% in those without DM (P = 0.14), and the specificity was 92.7% in controls with DM and 94.0% in those without DM (P = 0.95).

Conclusions: This matched case-control study revealed a comparable diagnostic yield of the PFAA index for PaC in individuals with and those without DM. The PFAA index can be used as a biomarker for further diagnostic imaging in selected patients with DM.

Keywords: Amino acid; Biomarker; Diabetes mellitus; Metabolomics; Pancreatic cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amino Acids / blood*
  • Biomarkers
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Diabetes Complications / blood*
  • Diabetes Complications / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolomics / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / blood*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Biomarkers