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A cohort study of digoxin exposure and mortality in men with prostate cancer
Author(s) -
Flahavan Evelyn M.,
Sharp Linda,
Bennett Kathleen,
Barron Thomas I.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/bju.12287
Subject(s) - medicine , digoxin , hazard ratio , prostate cancer , propensity score matching , cohort , cohort study , androgen deprivation therapy , cancer , proportional hazards model , oncology , confidence interval , heart failure
Objective To examine the association between digoxin exposure and mortality in men with prostate cancer using linked I rish N ational C ancer R egistry and pharmacy claims data.Patients and Methods Prostate cancer cases were identified from the database and digoxin exposure at prostate cancer diagnosis was identified from prescription claims. Digoxin users were matched to non‐users using a propensity score to identify men with similar cardiovascular comorbidity. Adjusted hazard ratios ( HRs ) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs ) were estimated for the association between digoxin exposure and all‐cause and prostate cancer‐specific mortality ( PCSM ). Analyses were repeated in the propensity score‐matched cohort. Effect modification of treatment with radiation or androgen‐deprivation therapy by digoxin exposure was also assessed.Results In all, 5732 men with a prostate cancer diagnosis (2001–2006) were identified (digoxin exposed, 391). The median follow‐up was 4.3 years. Digoxin exposure was associated with a small non‐significant increase in PCSM in the full cohort ( HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.91, 1.42) and the propensity. score‐matched cohort ( HR 1.17, 95% CI 0.88, 1.57). Adjusted HRs for all‐cause mortality were increased for digoxin exposed men ( HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.07, 1.43). Interactions with treatments received were not significant.Conclusions These results suggest digoxin exposure is not associated with reduced PCSM . Further investigation of other cardiac glycosides that have shown anti‐cancer potential may be warranted.