Meta-analysis:  selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and colon cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To perform meta-analyses using observational studies to assess the association between the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the risk of colorectal cancer.


METHODS
A systematic search of relevant studies published through February 2012 was carried out using the Medline (PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. We reviewed the observational studies that were associated with our subject and carried out a meta-analysis.


RESULTS
Out of 324 screened articles, six observational studies were included in the final analyses. According to this meta-analysis, the use of SSRIs was not associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in pooled analyses (adjusted odds ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.79-1.01). This finding was consistently observed in subgroup analyses of study area, location of colorectal cancer, duration of SSRI use, study quality, adjustment for NSAID use, and the prevalence of overweight.


CONCLUSIONS
Our research shows that the use of SSRIs does not increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm the association between SSRIs and colorectal cancer.
Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Hyun-Ki
HK
Lee
Chun-Sick
CS
Eom
Young Min
YM
Kwon
Jeong Soo
JS
Ahn
Sarah
S
Kim
Sang Min
SM
Park
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D050177:Overweight; D012306:Risk; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors