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. 2011 Dec 21;17(47):5197-202.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i47.5197.

Statin use and the risk of colorectal cancer: a population-based case-control study

Meng-Hsuan Cheng  1 , Hui-Fen Chiu, Shu-Chen Ho, Shang-Shyue Tsai, Trong-Neng Wu, Chun-Yuh Yang
Affiliations

Statin use and the risk of colorectal cancer: a population-based case-control study

Meng-Hsuan Cheng et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Aim: To investigate whether the use of statins is associated with colorectal cancer risk.

Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study in Taiwan. Data were retrospectively collected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Cases consisted of all patients who were aged 50 years and older and had a first-time diagnosis of colorectal cancer between the period 2005 and 2008. The controls were matched to cases by age, sex, and index date. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression.

Results: We examined 1156 colorectal cancer cases and 4624 controls. The unadjusted ORs for any statin prescription was 1.10 (95% CI = 0.94-1.30) and the adjusted OR was 1.09 (95% CI = 0.91-1.30). When statin use was categorized by cumulative dose, the adjusted ORs were 0.99 (95% CI = 0.78-1.27) for the group with cumulative statin use below 105 defined daily doses (DDDs); 1.07 (95% CI = 0.78-1.49) for the group with cumulative statin use between 106 and 298.66 DDDs; and 1.30 (95% CI = 0.96-1.75) for the group with cumulative statin use of 298.66 DDDs or more compared with nonusers.

Conclusion: This study does not provide support for a protective effect of statins against colorectal cancer.

Keywords: Case-control study; Colorectal cancer; Pharmacoepidemiology; Statins.

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