Is use of vitamin K antagonists associated with the risk of prostate cancer?: A meta-analysis

Luo et al., 2018 | Medicine (Baltimore) | Meta Analysis

Citation

Luo Jin-Dan, Luo Jie, ... Meng Hong-Zhou. Is use of vitamin K antagonists associated with the risk of prostate cancer?: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018-Dec;97(49):e13489. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000013489

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) may have potential antitumor effects in prostate cancer. However, the findings of observational studies are inconsistent. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the quantitative association between VKAs use and prostate cancer risk by combining the results of all eligible observational studies. METHODS: PubMed and Web of Science database were searched from inception until May, 2018. A DerSimonian random-effects model was used to combine the studies. Study heterogeneity was measured using the chi-squared and I statistics. RESULTS: Six eligible studies were eventually included in our meta-analysis. There was an inverse but not statistically significant association between ever use of VKAs and the risk of prostate cancer (relative risk [RR] 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-1.01, P = .063) with large heterogeneity across studies (P < .001 for heterogeneity, I = 94.6%). When analysis restricted to long term of VKAs user (>3 years), the pooled risk estimate was 0.83 (0.77-0.90) without obvious heterogeneity (P = .597, I = 0.0%). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicates that VKAs use may be associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer, especially in long-term users.

Key Findings

Six eligible studies were eventually included in our meta-analysis. There was an inverse but not statistically significant association between ever use of VKAs and the risk of prostate cancer (relative risk [RR] 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-1.01, P = .063) with large heterogeneity across studies (P < .001 for heterogeneity, I = 94.6%). When analysis restricted to long term of VKAs user (>3 years), the pooled risk estimate was 0.83 (0.77-0.90) without obvious heterogeneity (P = .597, I

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Male
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Prostatic Neoplasms
  • Risk
  • Vitamin K

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-k-cancer

Provenance


Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09