Abstract:
Background
Use of statins has been suggested to protect against renal cell carcinoma (RCC); however, studies have typically been underpowered, and the results are conflicting.
Objective
To determine whether the use of statins is associated with a reduced risk of RCC using high-quality registry data.
Design, Setting and Participants
A nationwide case–control study was conducted on the basis of all histologically verified cases of RCC in Denmark between 2002 and 2012 (n = 4606) matched 1:10 to cancer-free controls. Data on drug use, comorbidity, and educational level were obtained from Danish nationwide prescription, patient, and demographic registries.
Outcome Measurements And Statistical Analysis
Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for RCC associated with long-term use (_5 yr) of statins were estimated using conditional logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders.
Results And Limitations
The adjusted OR for RCC associated with long-term use of statins was 1.06 (95% CI, 0.91–1.23). Analyses stratified by duration of statin use, type of statin, and patient characteristics all yielded ORs close to unity, except for a slightly increased OR for RCC associated with long-term statin use among women (OR: 1.25; 95% CI, 0.96–1.62). The main limitation of our study was lack of information on lifestyle factors, notably obesity, which may have biased the risk estimates upward.
Conclusions
Our study does not support an important chemopreventive effect of long-term statin use against RCC. The marginally increased and statistically insignificant risk estimates can readily be interpreted as a null finding, considering the lack of control for obesity and other lifestyle risk factors.
Patient summary
Previous studies have shown that the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) may protect against renal cancer. In a large study including all Danish renal cancers during an 11-yr period, we found no evidence of such an effect.
