Statin Use Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Haematological Malignancies: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Several observational studies have shown that statin use may modify the risk of haematological malignancies. To quantify the association between statin use and risk for haematological malignancies, we performed a detailed meta-analysis of published studies regarding this subject.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We conducted a systematic search of multiple databases including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library Central database up to July 2013. Fixed-effect and random-effect models were used to estimate summary relative risks (RR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Potential sources of heterogeneity were detected by meta-regression. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analysis were also performed.</p><p>Results</p><p>A total of 20 eligible studies (ten case-control studies, four cohort studies, and six RCTs) reporting 1,139,584 subjects and 15,297 haematological malignancies cases were included. Meta-analysis showed that statin use was associated with a statistically significant 19% reduction in haematological malignancies incidence (RR = 0.81, 95% CI [0.70, 0.92]). During subgroup analyses, statin use was associated with a significantly reduced risk of haematological malignancies among observational studies (RR = 0.79, 95% CI [0.67, 0.93]), but not among RCTs (RR = 0.92, 95% CI [0.77, 1.09]).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Based on this comprehensive meta-analysis, statin use may have chemopreventive effects against haematological malignancies. More studies, especially definitive, randomized chemoprevention trials are needed to confirm this association.</p></div

Subgroup analysis of all studies.

<p>No, number; RR, relative risks; CIs, confidence intervals; RCTs, randomized, controlled trials.</p

Forest plot: estimates (95% CIs) of statin use and risk of haematological malignancies.

<p>Squares indicated study-specific risk estimates (size of square reflects the study-statistical weight, i.e. inverse of variance); horizontal lines indicate 95% confidence intervals; diamond indicates summary relative risk estimate with its corresponding 95% confidence interval.</p

Characteristics of included studies assessing the risk of haematological malignancies with statin use.

<p>NR = not reported; RR = Relative risk; HR = Hazard ratio; OR = Odds ratio; M =  male; F = female; BMI = body mass index; RCT =  randomized controlled trial.</p