Antihypertensive drugs and prostate cancer risk in a Finnish population-based cohort

Abstract

Background: The etiology of prostate cancer (PCa) involves environmental and genetic factors. Understanding the role of medication use on PCa risk may clarify the pathophysiological changes and mechanisms in development of cancer.

Methods: This study investigated PCa risk in relation to overall use of anti-hypertensive drugs and those with specific mechanisms of action. The study cohort (78,615 men) was linked to the prescription database to obtain information on medication use during 20-year follow-up. Information was obtained on PCa diagnoses, causes of deaths, and for a sub-set on B.M.I. and use of non-prescription drugs. Time-dependent drug use variables hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox regression analyses.

Results: Use of antihypertensive drugs slightly increased PCa risk (HR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.11-1.22). The risk increase was clearest for metastatic PCa (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.14-1.62). ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics were all separately associated with a small excess risk (HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.01-1.19, HR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.06-1.21, and HR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.07-1.27, respectively). None of the other groups showed a clear association with PCa risk.

Conclusions: The use of antihypertensive drugs was associated with increased prostate cancer risk. Similar risk association for multiple drug groups suggests that the findings may not reflect a direct medication effect, but may be due to underlying hypertension.

Keywords: Antihypertensive drugs; blood pressure; population-based cohort; prostate cancer risk.