Frequency and Correlates of Elevated Serum Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 Levels in a Cohort of Nigerians with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Elevated levels of serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 previously associated with pancreatic cancer have also been found in nonmalignant disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Serum CA 19-9 levels were found to correlate with glycemic control among Asian and Caucasian T2DM populations but have not been well investigated among the sub-Saharan African populace, especially Nigerians. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the frequency of elevated serum CA 19-9 levels among the African population with T2DM and its relationship with short- and long-term glycemic control. Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study of 64 T2DM Nigerian patients and 64 age and sex-matched apparently healthy controls. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples for serum CA 19-9, glycated hemoglobin, and fasting plasma glucose were analyzed in all participants. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0. Results: The median serum CA 19-9 level of cases was higher than that of the controls (12.80 U/mL vs. 8.0 U/mL; P = 0.287). The frequency of elevated serum CA 19-9 was significantly higher in the cases than that of the controls (15.6% vs. 4.7%; P = 0.046). The unadjusted logistic regression showed cases were three times more likely to have elevated serum CA 19-9 [odds ratio (OR) 3.76; 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.00-14.39)], whereas adjusted logistic regression showed T2DM was associated with higher odds of elevated CA 19-9 [adjusted odds ratio = 9.075; 95% CI (1.068-77.100)], which is statistically significant. Elevated fasting plasma glucose increased the odds of elevated serum CA 19-9, but was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The frequency of elevated serum CA 19-9 was significantly higher in persons with T2DM and had a significant positive association with diabetes status among a cohort of Nigerians with T2DM.