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Beta blocker use and colorectal cancer risk: population-based case-control study
Lina Jansen1, Janina Below, Jenny Chang-Claude
1Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
Cancer
|May 16, 2012
Summary
Beta blocker use does not decrease colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. However, long-term use (6+ years) may increase the risk of stage IV CRC, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Postulated inverse association between beta blocker use and cancer risk due to norepinephrine signaling.
- Previous colorectal cancer (CRC) studies yielded inconsistent results and lacked covariate data.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the association between beta blocker use and CRC risk.
- Analyze risk by beta blocker subclasses, active ingredients, and CRC subsite.
Main Methods:
- Population-based case-control study (DACHS) with 1762 CRC cases and 1708 controls.
- Data collected via personal interviews on beta blocker use and confounders.
- Multiple logistic regression used for association estimation, including site- and stage-specific analyses.
Main Results:
- No significant association found between beta blocker use and overall CRC risk (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.86-1.29).
- No associations observed with duration of use, subclasses, or specific active ingredients.
- Long-term beta blocker use (6+ years) showed a significantly higher risk of stage IV CRC (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.25-3.27).
Conclusions:
- Beta blocker use is not associated with a decreased risk of CRC.
- Long-term beta blocker use is positively associated with the risk of stage IV CRC.
- Further research is needed to validate the association between long-term beta blocker use and advanced-stage CRC.
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