Statin use and the risk of colorectal cancer: a population-based case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the use of statins is associated with colorectal cancer risk.


METHODS
We conducted a population-based case-control study in Taiwan. Data were retrospectively collected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Cases consisted of all patients who were aged 50 years and older and had a first-time diagnosis of colorectal cancer between the period 2005 and 2008. The controls were matched to cases by age, sex, and index date. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
We examined 1156 colorectal cancer cases and 4624 controls. The unadjusted ORs for any statin prescription was 1.10 (95% CI = 0.94-1.30) and the adjusted OR was 1.09 (95% CI = 0.91-1.30). When statin use was categorized by cumulative dose, the adjusted ORs were 0.99 (95% CI = 0.78-1.27) for the group with cumulative statin use below 105 defined daily doses (DDDs); 1.07 (95% CI = 0.78-1.49) for the group with cumulative statin use between 106 and 298.66 DDDs; and 1.30 (95% CI = 0.96-1.75) for the group with cumulative statin use of 298.66 DDDs or more compared with nonusers.


CONCLUSIONS
This study does not provide support for a protective effect of statins against colorectal cancer.
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan, China.
Meng-Hsuan
MH
Cheng
Hui-Fen
HF
Chiu
Shu-Chen
SC
Ho
Shang-Shyue
SS
Tsai
Trong-Neng
TN
Wu
Chun-Yuh
CY
Yang
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors