|
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Immunosuppressive medications used to treat patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are now linked to increasing a patient's risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC).
Researchers at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, found the incidence rate ratio of NMSC is higher in patients with IBD compared to their matched controls (incidence rate ratio: 1.64). They also found increased risk associated with recent use of any immunosuppressive medication (Odds Ratio 3.28), and recent use of thiopurine class medications also increased risk of the cancer (adjusted Odds Ratio 2.07).
Text Continues Below
The increased risk of NMSC in patients with IBD is likely related to the immunosuppressive medications used to treat the disease," lead study author Millie Long, M.D., was quoted as saying. Our study demonstrates that patients with IBD on immunosupression may also be at risk for NMSC. As a result, our long-term management plans for IBD patients should stress the daily user of broad-spectrum sunscreen and increased awareness of NMSC to help to prevent complications."
SOURCE: Presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 74th Annual Scientific Meeting, San Diego, October 26, 2009
If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Melissa Medalie at mmedalie@ivanhoe.com
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
|
.gif)
