Blood transfusions and the subsequent risk of cancers in the United States elderly.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Blood transfusions are common in older adults and also may modulate the immune system. However, the impact of transfusion on cancer risk in the elderly has not been studied.

Study design and methods

Cancer risk after blood transfusion was evaluated in a US population-based case-control study using 552,951 elderly cases identified from cancer registries and 100,000 frequency-matched controls. Transfusions received 0 to 12, 13 to 30, and 31 to 48 months before cancer diagnosis or selection date were identified using Medicare claims. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression models. A Bonferroni correction adjusted for multiple testing.

Results

Transfusions received 0 to 12 months before cancer diagnosis and

SUBMITTER: Riedl R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3633614 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature