Statin use is associated with a reduction in the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma: a case control study.

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is increasing significantly throughout the developed world. As yet, there are no proven chemopreventive strategies. In laboratory studies, aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins have promising chemopreventive actions. Several observational studies support a protective effect of aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but there are only limited clinical data exploring the potential protective effect of statins. We conducted a case-control study examining aspirin and statin use in patients with EAC. Cancer cases were compared against age-sex-matched controls attending for diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Risk factor and drug exposure were established using standardized interviews. Logistic regression was used to compare statin exposure and correct for confounding factors. A total of 112 cases and 448 controls were enrolled. Statin use was associated with a significantly lower incidence of EAC (odds ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.27-0.92). Aspirin use was also associated with apparent protection against EAC (odds ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.28-0.92), and a significantly greater effect was seen with the combination of statin plus aspirin (odds ratio 0.27, 95% confidence interval 0.05-0.67). There was a significant trend for greater risk reduction with longer duration and higher doses of statin use. Simvastatin comprised the majority of statin use, but similar effects were seen with simvastatin and non-simvastatin agents. In this observational study, patients regularly using statins or aspirin had a lower incidence of EAC. Statins may have clinically useful effects in preventing the development of EAC.

Bonding in women with postnatal anaemia: a pilot case control study looking at postnatal bonding in women who have been diagnosed with anaemia at a University Hospital in the East of England.

PURPOSE: Anaemia is common postpartum; however, the effect of anaemia on mother-infant bonding is presently unknown. This case controlled study was designed to evaluate the effects of anaemia on mother and baby bonding in the first month following delivery. METHODS: 945 consecutive postpartum women who gave birth at home or in the obstetric unit at a university hospital in the East of England were identified from the hospital computer records. Blood counts had been performed on 279 of these women within 48 h of delivery, entirely at the discretion of the clinical team. The women with available blood count data were sent a self-reporting questionnaire which included a validated postpartum bonding questionnaire (PBQ). Data were collected from the 115 (41%) responses and analysed for the evidence of an effect of anaemia on bonding. RESULTS: 57 (50%) of women responding to the questionnaire were anaemic (haemoglobin < 10 g/dL). There was no evidence of a difference between maternal, age, parity, mode of delivery, gestational age, baby weight or baby age at the time of completing questionnaire between the anaemic and non-anaemic groups. Moreover, there was no evidence of a difference in maternal perception of mother-infant bonding between the anaemic and non-anaemic groups. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested no evidence of an association between postnatal anaemia and the mother's ability to bond with the baby; however a small but significant effect may still exist which we were not able to detect due to a possible lack of power, hence we suggest, further larger studies to be conducted.