Risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in relation to use of antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and other centrally acting medications.
OBJECTIVE
An increased risk of ovarian cancer among users of antidepressants and benzodiazepines has been observed in some but not all prior studies. We examined these associations in a population-based case-control study.


METHODS
We identified 314 members of a health maintenance organization (HMO) who were diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer between 1981 and 1997, were aged 35-79 years at diagnosis, and had at least 4 years of HMO membership. Up to four controls were selected for each case (n = 790), matched on age, calendar year, and length of HMO membership. Information concerning past medication use was obtained from the computerized pharmacy database, established in 1977.


RESULTS
Cases were slightly less likely than controls to have filled two antidepressant prescriptions (primarily for doxepin, amitriptyline, or imipramine) in any 6-month period prior to a reference date set 1.5 years before diagnosis (conditional odds ratio (OR) 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-1.1), or to have used an antidepressant continuously for 6 months or longer (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.36-1.1). Cases were less likely than controls to have filled two benzodiazepine prescriptions in 6 months (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.47-1.0) or to have used benzodiazepines continuously for 6 months or longer (OR 0.53, 95% Cl 0.15-1.9).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that there is not an increased risk of ovarian cancer in women who have taken some types of antidepressants or benzodiazepines.
Dublin
Sascha
S
Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA. dublins@ohsu.edu
Rossing
Mary Anne
MA
Heckbert
Susan R
SR
Goff
Barbara A
BA
Weiss
Noel S
NS
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D001569:Benzodiazepines