The Risk of Antipsychotic Drugs on Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between the consumption of antipsychotic drugs and breast cancer. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis study, relevant studies were extracted from different databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, Medline, and additional sources. The selected studies were statistically analyzed and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. RESULTS: Of a total of 11 studies selected, five were case-control type and six were cohort type. The overall study quality was 6.7. Meta-analysis of the five case-control studies (which together had 81 766 breast cancer patients and 1 150 316 control participants) showed no significant association between the overall use of antipsychotic drugs and the incidence of breast cancer (odds ratio = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.94–1.19; p =0.36). Q-test results showed evidence of heterogeneity (p < 0.10) in the overall analysis. The I(2) statistical assessment also show evidence of heterogeneity (I(2)> 75%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of antipsychotic drugs does not significantly increase the risk of breast cancer.