No evidence for a decreased risk of thyroid cancer in association with use of metformin or other antidiabetic drugs: a case-control study

Abstract

Background: Use of metformin has been associated with a decreased cancer risk. We aimed to explore whether use of metformin or other antidiabetic drugs is associated with a decreased risk for thyroid cancer.

Methods: We conducted a case-control analysis (1995 to 2014) using the U.K.-based Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). Cases had a first-time diagnosis of thyroid cancer, six controls per case were matched on age, sex, calendar time, general practice, and number of years of active history in the database prior to the index date. We assessed odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI), adjusted for body mass index (BMI), smoking, and diabetes mellitus.

Results: In 1229 cases and 7374 matched controls, the risk of thyroid cancer associated with ever use of metformin yielded an adjusted OR of 1.48, 95 % CI 0.86-2.54. The relative risk estimate was highest in long-term (≥30 prescriptions) users of metformin (adjusted OR 1.83, 95 % CI 0.92-3.65), based on a limited number of 26 exposed cases. No such association was found in users of sulfonylurea, insulin, or thiazolidinediones (TZD). Neither a diabetes diagnosis (adjusted OR 1.17, 95 % CI 0.89-1.54), nor diabetes duration >8 years (adjusted OR 1.22, 95 % CI 0.60-2.51) altered the risk of thyroid cancer.

Conclusion: In our observational study with limited statistical power, neither use of metformin nor of other antidiabetic drugs were associated with a decreased risk of thyroid cancer.