Study on Risk Factors for Biliary Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Grainge M J, West J, Solaymani-Dodaran M, Aithal G P, Card T R
Primary Institution: University of Nottingham
Hypothesis
Do non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) protect against cholangiocarcinoma and gall bladder cancer?
Conclusion
The study found no protective effect from NSAIDs against biliary cancers, but confirmed increased risks associated with diabetes and gallstone disease.
Supporting Evidence
- Cholangiocarcinoma has a low 5-year survival rate of only 20%.
- Gallstone disease was associated with a more than three-fold risk of gall bladder cancer.
- Obese patients had 1.5 times the risk of both cholangiocarcinoma and gall bladder cancer.
- Diabetes prevalence was significantly higher in cases compared to controls.
Takeaway
This study looked at what might cause biliary cancer and found that some things like diabetes and gallstones increase the risk, but taking certain painkillers doesn't help.
Methodology
A case-control study using the General Practice Research Database to analyze risk factors for biliary cancer.
Potential Biases
The study is population-based, minimizing selection bias, but may have some ascertainment bias due to increased medical attention for cases.
Limitations
The study could not determine whether cholangiocarcinoma was intra- or extra-hepatic and lacked sufficient data on COX-2 inhibitors.
Participant Demographics
The study included 611 cases of biliary cancer and 5760 matched controls, with a higher percentage of male cases for cholangiocarcinoma.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.95
Confidence Interval
1.01–1.90
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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