Effect of statin use on risk and mortality of gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

The effect of statins on gastric cancer risk is still controversial. And studies on the association between statins and gastric cancer mortality are very limited. Therefore, we conducted this systemic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between the use of statin and gastric cancer. Searched studies were published before November 2022. Odds ratios (ORs)/relative risks (RRs) or hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using STATA 12.0 software. The study showed that the statin use group showed a significantly lower risk of gastric cancer, compared to no statin use group (OR/RR, 0.74; 95% CI: 0.67–0.80, P < 0.001). The study showed that the statin use group showed significantly lower all-cause mortality and cancer-specific mortality of gastric cancer, compared to no statin use group (all-cause mortality: HR, 0.70; 95% CI: 0.52–0.95, P = 0.021; cancer-specific mortality: HR, 0.70; 95% CI: 0.58–0.84, P < 0.001). Overall, results from this meta-analysis showed the protective effect of statins exposure on the risk and prognosis of gastric cancer; however, we still need more well designed, large-scale studies and randomized clinical trials to pinpoint the effect of statins on gastric cancer in future clinical practice.