Impact of Hydrochlorothiazide on Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer:A Distributed Network Analysis of 11 Real-world Databases
- Author:
Yeon-Jung PARK
1
;
Man S KIM
;
Yoonsung LEE
;
Bark-Lynn LEW
;
Soon-Hyo KWON
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Annals of Dermatology 2025;37(6):350-356
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) has carcinogenic effects owing to its photosensitizing properties. Recent studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the association between HCTZ and skin cancer.
Objective:This study aimed to clarify the effects of HCTZ on the risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in Korean patients with hypertension.
Methods:This multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted using clinical data from 11 hospitals in Korea, and converted to the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership-Common Data Model. Large-scale 1:1 propensity score-matching was conducted to balance the target and comparator cohorts. Cox regression analysis was used to examine the hazard ratio (HR) for NMSC in HCTZ users compared to HCTZ never-users.
Results:8,821 patients and same number of controls were pooled from 11 databases. HCTZ use was not associated with a decreased risk of NMSC (HR, 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70–1.47). In the dose-response analysis, no significant correlation was found between NMSC risk and HCTZ dose for <1 year (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.64–2.17) and ≥1 year (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.64–1.61). No significant increase in the risk of NMSC was observed in the subgroup analyses for either age or sex.
Conclusion:HCTZ was not associated with the development of NMSC in a Korean hypertensive population, regardless of the duration of drug exposure.
