Key result
Ever use of vitamin K antagonists was associated with a non-significant reduction in the risk of prostate cancer (RR 0.84, p=0.063), though a significant reduction was observed in long-term users.
Why the study?
Vitamin K antagonists may have antitumor effects in prostate cancer, but findings from observational studies have been inconsistent.
Does the use of vitamin K antagonists reduce the incidence of prostate cancer?
Meta-Analysis
Does the use of vitamin K antagonists reduce the incidence of prostate cancer?
Long-term use of vitamin K antagonists (>3 years) may be associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer, though overall ever-use did not reach statistical significance.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
VKAs use may link to modestly lower prostate cancer risk in long-term users; leaves open causality and practice change pending RCTs.
BACKGROUND: Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) may have potential antitumor effects in prostate cancer. However, the findings of observational studies are inconsistent. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the quantitative association between VKAs use and prostate cancer risk by combining the results of all eligible observational studies. METHODS: PubMed and Web of Science database were searched from inception until May, 2018. A DerSimonian random-effects model was used to combine the studies. Study heterogeneity was measured using the chi-squared and I statistics. RESULTS: Six eligible studies were eventually included in our meta-analysis. There was an inverse but not statistically significant association between ever use of VKAs and the risk of prostate cancer (relative risk [RR] 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-1.01, P = .063) with large heterogeneity across studies (P < .001 for heterogeneity, I = 94.6%). When analysis restricted to long term of VKAs user (>3 years), the pooled risk estimate was 0.83 (0.77-0.90) without obvious heterogeneity (P = .597, I = 0.0%). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicates that VKAs use may be associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer, especially in long-term users.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Luo et al. (2018) conducted a meta-analysis in Prostate cancer. Vitamin K antagonists vs. Non-users was evaluated on Incidence of prostate cancer (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.70-1.01, p=0.063). Ever use of vitamin K antagonists was associated with a non-significant reduction in the risk of prostate cancer (RR 0.84, p=0.063), though a significant reduction was observed in long-term users.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: