Effect of colchicine on cancer risk in patients with the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue and rheumatism-related diseases

Abstract

Abstract Background To determine the effect of colchicine on cancer risk in patients with the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue and rheumatism-related diseases (MD).Methods We retrospectively enrolled patients with the MD divided them into colchicine users (N = 16,026) and colchicine nonusers (N = 16,026). Furthermore, time-dependent Cox models were used to analyze cancer risk in propensity-matched colchicine users compared with the nonusers. The cumulative cancer incidence was analyzed using Cox proportional regression analysis. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer after adjusting for sex, age, comorbidities, and use of medicine including acetylcysteine, medication for tobacco use, anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressant drugs.Results Comparing the colchicine nonusers, only the colchicine users were associated with the lower incidence of the colorectal cancer ( (aHRs) (95% CI), 0.52 (0.49, 0.89)). Notably, the frequency of the medical services may inflate the aHR of brain tumor ((aHRs (95% CI), 8.42 (1.32, 53.9)). However, the aged < 65 years adult having the colchicine users were associated with lower risk the colorectal cancer. Moreover, the colchicine > 20 days use with the lower aHR for colorectal cancer.Conclusion This study implied colchicine with an auxiliary role for protecting the colorectal cancer formation in patients with the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue and rheumatism-related diseases.