Statins increase the risk of colon adenomas by 54%

This study was published in the Journal of gastrointestinal cancer 2011 Sep 6

Study title and authors:

Association of Type 2 Diabetes and Colon Adenomas.

Eddi R, Karki A, Shah A, Debari VA, Depasquale JR.

Division of Gastroenterology, Seton Hall University School of Health and Medical Sciences, South Orange, NJ, USA, rodney_eddi@yahoo.com.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21894459

An adenoma is a benign tumor (-oma) of glandular origin. Adenomas can grow from many organs including the colon, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, thyroid, prostate, etc. Although these growths are benign, over time they may progress to become malignant, at which point they are called adenocarcinomas. Even while benign, they have the potential to cause serious health complications by compressing other structures (mass effect) and by producing large amounts of hormones in an unregulated, non-feedback-dependent manner (paraneoplastic syndrome).

The thiazolidinediones also known as glitazones, are a class of medications used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

This study, which lasted 3 years, of 783 people (of which 261 had adenomas) sought to determine (i) the association between type 2 diabetes and colon adenomas and (ii) factors that increase the risk of adenomas.

The study found;
(i) Those who had diabetes had a 45% increased risk of developing colon adenomas.
(ii) Factors that increased the risk of adenomas included:
(a) Exposure to insulin increased the risk of adenoma by 73%.
(b) Exposure to thiazolidinediones increased the risk of adenoma by 183%.
(c) Exposure to smoking increased the risk of adenoma by 47%.
(d) Use of aspirin increased the risk of adenoma by 59%.
(e) Use of statins increased the risk of adenoma by 54%.

To conclude: This study shows a significant association between type 2 diabetes and colon adenomas. Colon adenomas are shown to be associated with smoking and various pharmaceutical drugs such as statins, aspirin and thiazolidinediones. Colon adenomas have the potential to cause serious health complications including progressing to become cancerous.