Characteristics of finasteride users in comparison with nonusers: A Nordic nationwide study based on individual-level data from Denmark, Finland, and Sweden

Science Other Studies
#1

<<Conclusion: The characteristics of finasteride users differ from that of nonusers according to a number of covariates that may be associated with male breast cancer and other diseases. Hence, in observational studies evaluating the relationship between finasteride exposure and male breast cancer it is essential to adjust for such confounders.>>

<<MSD has had the opportunity to comment on the manuscript, but the authors retained the right to accept or reject comments or suggestions.>>

Characteristics of finasteride users in comparison with nonusers: A Nordic nationwide study based on individualā€level data from Denmark, Finland, and Sweden

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Published epidemiological studies on the association between finasteride use and the risk of male breast cancer have been inconclusive due to methodological limitations including a few male breast cancer cases included. Determinants of male breast cancer have been studied, but it remains unexplored whether these are also related to finasteride use and thereby constitute potential confounders. This study aimed to assess whether there are differences between finasteride users and nonusers with regard to numerous potential confounders.

METHODS:

In total, 246 508 finasteride users (ā‰„35 years) were identified in the prescription registries of Denmark (1995-2014), Finland (1997-2013), and Sweden (2005-2014). An equal number of nonusers were sampled. The directed acyclic graph (DAG) methodology was used to identify potential confounders for the association between finasteride and male breast cancer. A logistic regression model compared finasteride users and nonusers with regard to potential confounders that were measurable in registries and population surveys.

RESULTS:

Finasteride users had higher odds of testicular abnormalities (odds ratio [OR] 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-1.44), obesity (1.31; 1.23-1.39), exogenous testosterone (1.61; 1.48-1.74), radiation exposure (1.22; 1.18-1.27), and diabetes (1.07; 1.04-1.10) and lower odds of occupational exposure in perfume industry or in high temperature environments (0.93; 0.87-0.99), living alone (0.89; 0.88-0.91), living in urban/suburban areas (0.97; 0.95-0.99), and physical inactivity (0.70; 0.50-0.99) compared to nonusers.

CONCLUSIONS:

Systematic differences between finasteride users and nonusers were found emphasizing the importance of confounder adjustment of associations between finasteride and male breast cancer.

Full Text
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pds.4947

1 Like
#2

This Merck sponsored study attempts to cast doubt on finasterideā€™s harms. That someone will go to such lengths in an effort to exonerate finasteride rather than study the innumerable damages it causes to millions of patients worldwide is an absolute disgrace.

There can be little doubt in the impartial observer that the authors of this study have engaged in questionable research practices (i.e. torturing the data until it confesses), which are absolutely the norm in industry sponsored and industry written studies.

This study is essentially ghost-written as it appears that methodology, analysis and findings were coordinated with and reviewed by Merck, as per the authorsā€™ acknowledgement.

7 Likes
#3

Thatā€™s just how it goes, fam