The association between statin use and the diagnosis of prostate cancer in a population based cohort.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of statin medication use on the risk of prostate cancer is unknown.


METHODS
We examined data from a longitudinal, population based cohort of 2,447 men between 40 and 79 years old who were followed from 1990 to 2007. Information on statin use was self-reported and obtained by biennial questionnaires. A randomly selected subset of men (634, 26%) completed biennial urological examinations that included serum prostate specific antigen measurements. Information on prostate biopsy and prostate cancer was obtained through review of community medical records.


RESULTS
Of 634 statin users 38 (6%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer vs 186 (10%) of 1,813 nonstatin users. Statin use was associated with a decreased risk of undergoing prostate biopsy (HR 0.31; 95% CI 0.24, 0.40), receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis (HR 0.36; 95% CI 0.25, 0.53) and receiving a high grade (Gleason 7 or greater) prostate cancer diagnosis (HR 0.25; 95% CI 0.11, 0.58). Statin use was also associated with a nonsignificantly decreased risk of exceeding a prostate specific antigen threshold of 4.0 ng/ml (HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.35, 1.13). In addition, a longer duration of statin use was associated with a lower risk of these outcomes (all tests for trend p <0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Statin use is associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer diagnosis. This association may be explained by decreased detection or cancer prevention.
Breau
Rodney H
RH
Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Karnes
R Jeffrey
RJ
Jacobson
Debra J
DJ
McGree
Michaela E
ME
Jacobsen
Steven J
SJ
Nehra
Ajay
A
Lieber
Michael M
MM
St Sauver
Jennifer L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen