A nationwide study of aspirin, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and Hodgkin lymphoma risk in Denmark

Abstract

Background: We recently found an inverse association between low-dose aspirin use and risk of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in northern Denmark. To strengthen the evidence for this association, we expanded the study base to include all of Denmark.Methods: Between 1997 and 2009, 1659 incident HL cases were identified in nationwide databases and matched with 5 population controls on age, sex, and residence. Use of aspirin, selective cyclooxygenase-2 (sCOX-2) inhibitors, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) from 1995 through 2008 (1 year before the index date) was ascertained via the Danish National Prescription Database. Odds ratios (ORs) for associations with HL risk were estimated using conditional logistic regression. Results: Ever use (2 prescriptions) vs never/rare use (2 prescriptions) of low-dose aspirin was not associated with HL risk, but the association with long-term use for 7 years vs never/rare use was clearly inverse, although statistically nonsignificantly so (OR0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39-1.09). By contrast, ever use of sCOX-2 inhibitors or other NSAIDs (OR1.27, 95% CI: 1.10-1.47), especially short-term and low-or medium-intensity use, was associated with elevated HL risk.Conclusion:Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that long-term use of low-dose aspirin, but not other NSAIDs, protects against HL development. © 2011 Cancer Research UK All rights reserved.