Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and the risks of cancers of the esophagus.
BACKGROUND
Frequent consumption of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) has been associated with reduced occurrence of cancers of the esophagus, although potential modifying effects of other causal factors remain relatively unexplored.


METHODS
We compared nationwide samples of Australian patients with adenocarcinomas of the esophagus (EAC; n = 367) or esophagogastric junction (EGJAC; n = 426) or esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC; n = 309) with control participants sampled from a population register (n = 1,580). Intakes of aspirin, other NSAIDs, and acetaminophen (paracetamol) were assessed from self-reports. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using multivariable logistic regression.


RESULTS
Compared with never-users of aspirin, those who used aspirin at least weekly had significantly lower risks of EAC (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.32-0.72), EGJAC (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.49-1.01), and ESCC (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.40-0.98). At least weekly use of other NSAIDs was also associated with reduced risks of EAC (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.51-1.08), EGJAC (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.77), and ESCC (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.30-0.73). No association was observed between frequent use of acetaminophen and esophageal cancer. Risk reductions for EAC among users of aspirin and NSAIDs were greater among those who experienced at least weekly symptoms of reflux (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.12-0.55 and OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.21-0.77, respectively) than those who did not experience reflux (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.46-2.00 and OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.35-1.72, respectively). Recent use of NSAIDs in the past 5 years was associated with greater risk reductions.


CONCLUSIONS
Frequent use of aspirin and NSAIDs is associated with reduced occurrence of esophageal cancers, particularly among those with frequent symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux.
Sadeghi
Shahram
S
Queensland Institute of Medical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia.
Bain
Christopher J
CJ
Pandeya
Nirmala
N
Webb
Penelope M
PM
Green
Adèle C
AC
Whiteman
David C
DC
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000494:pharmacology; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012306:Risk; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen; D001241:Aspirin