Statin Use and Prostate Cancer Survival in the Finnish Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Background: Recent research has suggested that statins have an effect on prostate cancer prognosis. It is currently unclear how prostate cancer screening, tumor and patient characteristics, or treatment selection may affect this association.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of prostate cancer death among statin users. To determine how disease and treatment characteristics affect the association.

Design, setting, and participants: This is a population-based cohort study consisting of a general male population of Finland participating in the Finnish Randomized Study for Prostate Cancer Screening. The cohort of consisted of 6537 prostate cancer cases diagnosed in the Finnish Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer population during 1996-2012. The cohort was linked to the National Prescription Database for information on the use of statins and other drugs.

Intervention: Statin use before and after prostate cancer diagnosis compared with nonuse.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Hazard ratios (HRs) for the risk of prostate cancer death by amount, duration, and intensity of statin use. Cox proportional hazards regression with postdiagnostic statin use as a time-dependent variable.

Results: During the median follow-up of 7.5 yr postdiagnosis 617 men died of prostate cancer. Statin use after diagnosis was associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer death (HR 0.80; 95% confidence interval 0.65-0.98). A decreasing risk trend was observed by increasing intensity of usage (doses/year). The risk decrease was clearest in men managed with androgen deprivation therapy. Prediagnostic statin use was not associated with risk of prostate cancer death (HR 0.92; 95% confidence interval 0.75-1.12).

Conclusions: Decreased risk of prostate cancer death by statin use after diagnosis suggests that statins may delay or prevent prostate cancer progression. The risk decrease was significant only in men managed with androgen deprivation therapy, but statistical power was limited to estimate the association in men managed with surgery or radiotherapy.

Patient summary: Use of statins after prostate cancer diagnosis was associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer death. The risk decrease was dose-dependent and observed especially among patients treated with hormone therapy.

Keywords: Mortality; Prostate cancer; Statins.