Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and colorectal cancer survival: a cohort study |
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Authors: | A J Walker M J Grainge T R Card |
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Affiliation: | 1.Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Clinical Sciences Building, 07713 152268, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK |
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Abstract: | Background: Aspirin has been widely reported to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer. Recently, a survival benefit after diagnosis has also been suggested. Data regarding such a benefit are to date contradictory. This study examines the effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use on mortality in colorectal cancer in a larger patient cohort than previously to further clarify this effect, especially in terms of exposure timing and dosing.Methods: A study using the General Practice Research Database assessed whether aspirin or NSAID exposure in the year immediately following diagnosis affected all-cause mortality in a cohort of 13 994 colorectal cancer patients. Cox proportional hazards modelling adjusted for age, gender, smoking, body mass index and comorbidity.Results: Overall mortality was slightly lower in patients treated with aspirin, (hazard ratio (HR)=0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.82–1.00). This effect was observed only in patients treated with prophylaxis-dose aspirin (HR=0.89, CI=0.80–0.98) and only in patients taking aspirin before diagnosis (HR=0.86, CI=0.76–0.98). Differential effects were observed depending on the time after diagnosis. Up to 5 years, a reduction in mortality was observed for aspirin users (HR=0.83, CI=0.75–0.92), whereas after 10 years there was an increase in mortality (HR=1.94, CI=1.26–2.99). For NSAID use, no significant effect was observed on overall mortality (HR=1.07, CI=0.98–1.15). High-dose NSAID use was associated with a slight increase in mortality (HR=1.41, CI=1.26–1.56).Interpretation: These findings provide further indication that aspirin may be beneficial in reducing mortality in colorectal cancer during the first 5 years. The same cannot be said for other NSAIDs, where a small increase in mortality was observed. |
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Keywords: | aspirin NSAID colorectal cancer GPRD |
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