Hct y melanoma

Hydrochlorothiazide Associated with Melanoma Risk

By Kelly Young

Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH

High use of hydrochlorothiazide is associated with increased risk for melanoma, according to a research letter in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Using national registry data, Danish researchers matched 19,000 adults with melanoma to 190,000 controls without melanoma. Roughly 2.1% of cases and 1.8% of controls had high cumulative use of hydrochlorothiazide (50,000 mg or more).

After multivariable adjustment, high hydrochlorothiazide use was associated with significantly increased risk for melanoma (odds ratio, 1.22), as was ever-use of the drug (OR, 1.17). However, there did not appear to be a dose-response relationship. Risks were elevated for lentigo and nodular melanomas. Other antihypertensive medications studied didn't seem to pose an increased risk.

The authors note that hydrochlorothiazide has already been linked to increased risk for lip and nonmelanoma skin cancers and say the new association is "worrying."

JAMA Internal Medicine research letter (Free)

Background: Physician's First Watch coverage of hydrochlorothiazide's association with lip cancer (Free)

Benjamin Hidalgo-Matlock

Skin Care Physicians of Costa Rica

4000-1054

2101-9574

Please excuse the shortness of this message, as it has been sent from a mobile device.