COX2 Inhibitors and Cancer Risk
Author Information
Author(s): Vinogradova Y, Coupland C, Hippisley-Cox J
Primary Institution: University of Nottingham
Hypothesis
Does long-term use of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) inhibitors affect cancer risk?
Conclusion
Prolonged use of COX2 inhibitors was associated with an increased risk of breast and haematological cancers and a decreased risk of colorectal cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- Long-term use of COX2 inhibitors was linked to a 24% increased risk of breast cancer.
- Users of COX2 inhibitors had a 38% increased risk of haematological malignancies.
- Long-term use was associated with a 24% reduced risk of colorectal cancer.
Takeaway
Using certain pain medications called COX2 inhibitors for a long time might make you more likely to get breast and blood cancers, but it could help lower the chance of getting colorectal cancer.
Methodology
Nested case-control studies using the QResearch primary care database, analyzing associations of COX2 inhibitor use with cancer risk.
Potential Biases
There may be residual confounding due to unaccounted over-the-counter NSAID use and potential misclassification of COX2 inhibitor use.
Limitations
The study did not adjust for certain cancer risk factors like physical activity and diet, which may lead to residual confounding.
Participant Demographics
The median age at diagnosis was 69 years, with 53% of cases being men.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.08–1.42 for breast cancer; 95% CI 1.12–1.69 for haematological malignancies; 95% CI 0.63–0.92 for colorectal cancer.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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