Statin use and its association with decreased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in betel nut chewers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Betel nut chewing involves the chewing of areca nuts or betel quid (areca nuts wrapped in betel leaves), which is associated with an increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Statins have anticancer properties. We investigated the association between statin use and ESCC risk in betel nut chewers.

Methods

The study included 105 387 betel nut chewers matched statin users and nonusers. Statin use was defined as the use of ≥28 cumulative defined daily doses (cDDDs) of statin. The primary outcome was incidence of ESCC.

Results

The incidence rate of ESCC was significantly lower in statin users than in nonusers (2.03 vs. 3.02 per 100 000 person-years). Statin users had a lower incidence rate ratio of 0.66 for ESCC (95% confidence interval [CI]:

SUBMITTER: Lin CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10423659 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature