Antiplatelet agents aspirin and dipyridamole, and the risk of different carcinoma in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A Taiwan retrospective cohort study

Studies have shown aspirin decreases the risk of some cancers. However, the evidence reported the association between aspirin and cancer risk in the diabetic population. In this study, we investigate whether aspirin and dipyridamole decrease the risk of cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 5308 patients with type 2 diabetes were identified by the National Health Insurance from 1998 to 2000 and followed up until 2013. The demographic characteristics among nondipyridamole nor aspirin, aspirin, and dipyridamole users were analyzed by using the χ(2) test. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to determine the independent effects of no aspirin nor dipyridamole, aspirin, and dipyridamole users on the risk of different cancer. After adjustment with multiple covariates, both low and high doses of aspirin and dipyridamole decrease liver cancer with risk ratios of 0.56 (95% CI, 0.37–0.83), 0.14 (95% CI, 0.05–0.39), 0.61 (95% CI, 0.38–0.99), and 0.28 (95% CI, 0.12–0.66), respectively. Both low and high doses of aspirin decrease any types of cancer with risk ratios of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.64–0.98) and 0.49 (95% CI, 0.34–0.70), respectively. Therefore, we conclude aspirin may decrease any types of cancer and liver cancer, and dipyridamole may decrease the risk of liver cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes.