The association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and myelodysplastic syndromes in the Adults in Minnesota with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (AIMMS) Study

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of blood disorders. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with a chemopreventive effect in some cancers. We evaluated associations between NSAID use and MDS in a population-based case-control study. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Secondary analyses stratified by sex and MDS subtype were also conducted.The analysis included 399 MDS cases and 698 controls. No significant associations between MDS and use of aspirin (OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.67–1.14), ibuprofen (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.64–1.30), acetaminophen (OR = 1.29, 95% CI 0.90–1.84) or NSAIDs overall (OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.68–1.23) were observed. No significant associations were observed in models stratified by sex or MDS subtype; however, the direction of the effect between NSAID use and MDS varied by MDS subtype. Our results do not support an association between NSAID use and MDS overall.