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Effect of aspirin and NSAIDs on risk and survival from colorectal cancer

  • Farhat V. N. Din
  • , Evropi Theodoratou
  • , Susan M. Farrington
  • , Albert Tenesa
  • , Rebecca A. Barnetson
  • , Roseanne Cetnarskyj
  • , Lesley Stark
  • , Mary E. Porteous
  • , Harry Campbell
  • , Malcolm G. Dunlop (Lead / Corresponding author)

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Background: Previous studies have shown that aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) lower colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. However, the lowest effective NSAID dose, treatment duration, and effects on survival are not defined. In a large population-based case-control study, we have explored the relationship between NSAID dose and duration, CRC risk and overall CRC-specific survival.

    Methods: The relationship between NSAID use and CRC risk was examined in 2279 cases and 2907 controls. Subjects completed food-frequency and lifestyle questionnaires. NSAID categories were low-dose aspirin (75 mg), non-aspirin NSAIDs (NA-NSAIDs) and any NSAID. Users were defined as taking >4 tablets/week for >1 month. ORs were calculated by logistic regression models and adjusted for potential confounding factors. Effect of NSAID use on all-cause and CRC-specific mortality was estimated using Logrank tests and Cox's hazard models.

    Results: In all, 354 cases (15.5%) were taking low-dose aspirin compared to 526 controls (18.1%). Low-dose aspirin use was associated with decreased CRC risk (OR 0.78 95% CI 0.65 to 0.92, p=0.004), evident after 1 year and increasing with duration of use (ptrend=0. 004). NA-NSAID and any NSAID use were also inversely associated with CRC. There was no demonstrable effect of NSAIDS on all-cause (HR 1.11, p=0.22, 0.94-1.33) or CRC-specific survival (HR 1.01, p=0.93, 0.83-1.23).

    Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate a protective effect against CRC associated with the lowest dose of aspirin (75 mg per day) after only 5 years use in the general population. NSAID use prior to CRC diagnosis does not influence survival from the disease.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1670-1679
    Number of pages10
    JournalGut
    Volume59
    Issue number12
    Early online date15 Sept 2010
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2010

    UN SDGs

    This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
      SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Gastroenterology

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