Increased risk of lymphoma among inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is commonly treated with immunomodulators such as azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). Studies examining lymphoma risk in IBD patients treated with these medications have been underpowered and have yielded conflicting conclusions.

Aims

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to provide a more precise estimate of the relative risk of lymphoma among IBD patients treated with azathioprine or 6-MP.

Methods

Studies were included if they were English language, full article, cohort studies specifically designed to evaluate cancer as an adverse outcome of treatment with azathioprine or 6-MP. Pooled standardised incidence ratios were calculated to estimate the relative risk of lymphoma associated with therapy. Heterogeneity was as

SUBMITTER: Kandiel A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1774897 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature