Statin use is associated to a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer: A meta-analysis

Previous studies investigating the association between statin use and pancreatic cancer (PDAC) risk for a possible chemopreventive effect gathered heterogeneous results.

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify this association.

Comprehensive literature search of articles published up to February 2018, including case-control (CC),cohort studies (C), randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing association between statin use and PDAC risk. Studies had to report odds ratio (OR)/relative risk (RR), estimates with 95% confidence interval (CI), or provide data for their calculation. Pooled ORs with 95%CIs were calculated using random effects model, publication bias through Begg and Mazumdar test and heterogeneity by I² value.

27 studies(13 CC, 9C, 5 RCTs) for a total population of 11,975 PDAC/3,433,175 controls contributed to the analysis. The overall pooled result demonstrated a reduced PDAC risk among statin users (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.60-0.82; p < 0.0001), compared to non-users. Sensitivity analyses suggested the risk reduction to be more important in CC studies, studies conducted in Asia and Europe, in males and atorvastatin users. No publication bias found.

The present meta-analysis suggests that statin use is associated with an overall PDAC risk reduction of 30%. Further studies are needed to clarify the association.