Association between immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis and concomitant use of thiazide diuretics

Int J Cancer. 2023 Oct 15;153(8):1472-1476. doi: 10.1002/ijc.34616. Epub 2023 Jun 12.

Abstract

Although an association has been reported between diuretics and myocarditis, it is unclear whether the risk of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced myocarditis is affected by concomitant diuretics. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of concomitant diuretics on ICI-induced myocarditis. This cross-sectional study used disproportionality analysis and a pharmacovigilance database to assess the risk of myocarditis with various diuretics in patients receiving ICIs via the analysis of data entered into the VigiBase database through December 2022. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for myocarditis in patients who received ICIs. A total of 90 611 patients who received ICIs, including 975 cases of myocarditis, were included as the eligible dataset. A disproportionality in myocarditis was observed for loop diuretic use (reporting odds ratio 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-2.04, P = .03) and thiazide use (reporting odds ratio 1.76, 95% CI 1.20-2.50, P < .01) in patients who received ICIs. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the use of thiazides (odds ratio 1.67, 95% CI 1.15-2.34, P < .01) was associated with an increased risk of myocarditis in patients who received ICIs. Our findings may help to predict the risk of myocarditis in patients receiving ICIs.

Keywords: disproportionality analysis; immune checkpoint inhibitor; myocarditis; thiazide diuretics.

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diuretics / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors* / adverse effects
  • Myocarditis* / chemically induced
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Thiazides / adverse effects

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors
  • Diuretics
  • Thiazides