Association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors use and colorectal cancer in a casecontrol study

Abstract

Objectives: This study’s aim was to investigate whether selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors use was associated with the risk of colorectal cancer. Methods: From the claims data of Taiwan National Health Insurance Program, a retrospective case-control study was conducted to examine 4739 aged 20-84 cases with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer in 2000-2013 and 4739 sex-matched and age-matched controls without colorectal cancer. The prescription history of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other comorbidities were compared between the cases and the matched controls. Results: After adjusting for the potential confounders, the multivariable logistic regression model showed that the odds of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors use among cases with colorectal cancer were lower than the odds of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors use among matched controls (adjusted OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.66-0.89). Conclusion: The odds of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors use among cases with colorectal cancer are lower than among matched controls. This finding indicates that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors use might be a protective factor against colorectal cancer.