The Association Between Statin Use After Diagnosis and Mortality Risk in Patients With Esophageal Cancer: A retrospective cohort Study of united States Veterans

• DOI: 10.1038/s41395-018-0169-6
• Publication Date: 2018-06-25T11:14:52Z
• Authors: Theresa Nguyen; Anam Khan; Yan Liu; Hashem B. El-Serag; Aaron P. Thrift
• Keywords: Male; Esophageal Neoplasms; Adenocarcinoma; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Survival Analysis; United States; 3. Good health; United States Department of Veterans Affairs; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Female; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Registries; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Aged; Follow-Up Studies; Retrospective Studies; Veterans

Statins may reduce mortality from esophageal cancer by both reducing incidence but also improving prognosis. However, prior studies of statin use and have reported conflicting results.We identified 7882 patients with adenocarcinoma (EAC) 3868 squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) the VA Central Cancer Registry diagnosed between 2002 2016. We prescriptions for statins that were filled before after diagnosis. Time-dependent Cox regression models used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) 95% CIs risk. a time-varying exposure avoid immortal-time bias 3 month lag (following months diagnosis) reverse causation. A sensitivity analysis was conducted varying duration date diagnosis start follow-up.Statin recorded in 27.4% EAC 17.1% ESCC patients. In patients, associated decreased risk specific (HR, 0.79; CI 0.70-0.88) all-cause 0.80; 0.74-0.86). Similarly, 0.77; 0.63-0.92) 0.83; 0.74-0.95). The inverse associations attenuated towards null 6-month lag.Post-diagnosis reduced patients; however, effect be partially due causality as poor prognosis are unlikely initiate therapy.