Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2011; 17(47): 5197-5202
Published online Dec 21, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i47.5197
Statin use and the risk of colorectal cancer: A population-based case-control study
Meng-Hsuan Cheng, Hui-Fen Chiu, Shu-Chen Ho, Shang-Shyue Tsai, Trong-Neng Wu, Chun-Yuh Yang
Meng-Hsuan Cheng, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan, China
Meng-Hsuan Cheng, Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan, China
Meng-Hsuan Cheng, Department of Internal Medicine, Ping-Tung Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Ping-Tung 90054, Taiwan, China
Hui-Fen Chiu, Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan, China
Shu-Chen Ho, Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan, China
Shang-Shyue Tsai, Department of Healthcare Administration, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan, China
Trong-Neng Wu, Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, China
Trong-Neng Wu, Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institute, Miaoli 10694, Taiwan, China
Chun-Yuh Yang, Faculty of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan, China
Chun-Yuh Yang, Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institute, Miaoli 10694, Taiwan, China
Author contributions: Cheng MH wrote the manuscript; Ho SC performed the statistical analysis; Chiu HF, Tsai SS and Wu TN provided essential insight into the interpretation of the results; Yang CY contributed to the study design and interpretation of the data and had full access to all the data in the study and took responsibility for the integrity of the data and accuracy of the data analysis.
Supported by A grant from the National Science Council, Executive Yuan, Taiwan, No. NSC97-2314-B-037-006-MY3
Correspondence to: Chun-Yuh Yang, PhD, MPH, Faculty of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st RD, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan, China. chunyuh@kmu.edu.tw
Telephone: +886-7-3121101 Fax: +886-7-3110811
Received: February 1, 2011
Revised: March 28, 2011
Accepted: April 5, 2011
Published online: December 21, 2011
Abstract

AIM: 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.

CONCLUSION: This study does not provide support for a protective effect of statins against colorectal cancer.

Keywords: Case-control study; Colorectal cancer; Pharmacoepidemiology; Statins