Key result
Postdiagnostic use of β-blockers in cancer patients was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.81-0.98) compared with nonusers.
Why the study?
Does β-blocker use reduce mortality in cancer patients?
Meta-Analysis (n=76,538)
Does β-blocker use reduce mortality in cancer patients?
Hazard Ratio: 0.89 (95% CI 0.81–0.98)
Postdiagnostic use of β-blockers is associated with a modest reduction in all-cause and cancer-specific mortality in cancer patients, with specific benefits observed in breast cancer.
β-blocker use shows uncertain mortality link in cancer; leaves open whether RCTs are needed before any clinical consideration.
A number of epidemiologic studies have attempted to link the use of β blockers to mortality in cancer patients, but their findings have been inconclusive. A meta-analysis was carried out to derive a more precise estimation. Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE to May 2015. We calculated the summary hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effects models. Twenty cohort studies and four case-control studies involving 76 538 participants were included. The overall results showed that patients who used β blockers after diagnosis had an HR of 0.89 (95% CI 0.81-0.98) for all-cause mortality compared with nonusers. Those who used β blockers after diagnosis (vs. nonusers) had an HR of 0.89 (95% CI 0.79-0.99) for cancer-specific mortality. Prediagnostic use of β blockers showed no beneficial effect on all-cause mortality or cancer-specific mortality. Stratifying by cancer type, only breast cancer patients who used β blockers after diagnosis had a prolonged overall survival. A linear but nonsignificant trend was found between postdiagnostic β-blocker use and mortality of cancer patients. In conclusion, the average effect of β-blocker use after diagnosis but not before diagnosis is beneficial for the survival of cancer patients.
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Zhong et al. (2015) conducted a meta-analysis in Cancer (n=76,538). β-blocker use after diagnosis vs. Nonusers was evaluated on All-cause mortality (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81-0.98). Postdiagnostic use of β-blockers in cancer patients was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.81-0.98) compared with nonusers.
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