Background: A role for inflammation, and consequently of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in ovarian carcinogenesis has been proposed, but epidemiological evidence is scanty.
Patients and methods: Data were derived from a hospital-based case-control study conducted in Italy between 1992 and 1999. Cases were 749 women, aged 18-80 years (median age 56 years), with incident, histologically confirmed ovarian cancer. Controls were 898 non-hysterectomized women, aged 17-80 years (median age 58 years), admitted to hospital for acute conditions, unrelated to risk factors for ovarian cancer.
Results: The multivariate odds ratio (OR) was 0.93 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.53-1.62) for regular aspirin use for more than six months, 1.38 (95% CI: 0.57-3.36) for current use and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.35-1.47) for former use. The OR was not significantly different from unity for duration of use, age at starting use, indication (analgesia or cardiovascular prevention), and in women aged < 60 and > or = 60 years at ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Conclusions: This study provides little support for the hypothesis that aspirin may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.