Long-term use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors is associated with decreased incidence of advanced adenomatous colon polyps.
BACKGROUND
The long-term use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC).


OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to determine how long-term use of lisinopril influences the development of advanced adenomatous polyps (APs).


METHODS
We performed a retrospective study of patients who were found to have 1 or more histologically confirmed APs on an index colonoscopy, and who also had a follow-up colonoscopy 3 to 5 years later. APs found on the follow-up colonoscopy were evaluated for location, size, number, and advanced features. Patients were divided into 2 groups: (1) those who used lisinopril continuously during the interval between colonoscopies and (2) those who were lisinopril naive. Clinical factors were evaluated for their association with advanced APs in both the groups.


RESULTS
A total of 4660 patients with a history of AP were identified. There were 1760 continuous lisinopril users and 2900 nonusers. Univariate analysis showed that patients with lisinopril use had fewer right-side APs (odds ratio=0.68, P<0.001) and fewer total number of APs (P<0.001). Lisinopril users had a 41% reduced incidence of advanced APs compared with the nonusers (odds ratio=0.59, P<0.001). A Mann-Whitney U test revealed that among lisinopril users, patients with advanced APs were on a lower dose of the medication compared with patients without advanced APs (mean dose=17.2 mg vs. 20.1 mg, respectively; P<0.001). Spearman correlation analyses indicated an inverse relationship between lisinopril dosage and number of polyps (P<0.001). There was also an inverse relationship between dosage and size of polyps (P<0.001); higher dosages of lisinopril were significantly associated with smaller size of polyps. The protective effect of lisinopril was significant even when adjusted for age, body mass index, aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, and statin use.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of lisinopril was associated with a 41% reduction in the incidence of advanced APs during a period of 3 to 5 years, even after adjustment for other known polyp risk factors. We speculate that long-term ACE inhibitors use may reduce the development of CRCs by reducing the development of advanced APs.
Kedika
Ramalinga
R
Department of Internal Medicine, Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Patel
Mahir
M
Pena Sahdala
Helene N
HN
Mahgoub
Amar
A
Cipher
Daisha
D
Siddiqui
Ali A
AA
D018256:Adenomatous Polyps / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017706:Lisinopril / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D017706:Lisinopril