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Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of colorectal cancer: A Danish cohort study

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Abstract

Objective

The optimal duration and dose of aspirin and non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the potential prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been established. We examined this issue in the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health Study.

Methods

Self-reported NSAID use at entry (January 1995–May 1997) was updated through June 2006, using a nationwide prescription database. CRC incidence was ascertained from nationwide registers. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to compute confounder-adjusted incidence rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

From 51,053 cohort subjects, we identified 615 CRC cases during 1995–2006. Daily aspirin use at entry was associated with a decreased risk of CRC (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.49–1.10). A similar risk reduction was seen among subjects with 10 or more prescriptions for aspirin or non-aspirin NSAIDs and five or more years of follow-up. Most aspirin prescriptions were for 75–150 mg aspirin tablets. Among non-aspirin NSAID users, only those with body mass index (BMI) above 25 showed risk reductions [RR, 0.69 (0.47–1.03) for 10 or more prescriptions].

Conclusions

Long-term consistent use of aspirin or non-aspirin NSAIDs appears necessary to achieve a protective effect against CRC. Further studies of the effective dose of aspirin and the potential interaction between NSAID use and BMI are warranted.

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Acknowledgment

We thank Mathias Budinger, MSc, Institute of Medical Biometry, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany, for help with the data management.

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Correspondence to Søren Friis.

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This study was supported by a grant from the Danish Cancer Society (Grant DP 03 040).

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Friis, S., Poulsen, A.H., Sørensen, H.T. et al. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of colorectal cancer: A Danish cohort study. Cancer Causes Control 20, 731–740 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-008-9286-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-008-9286-7

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