Melanoma and hypertension: is there an association? A USA population-based study

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is one of the three major types of skin cancer. In this study we aimed to investigate the association between melanoma and hypertension comorbidity. METHODS: We performed a population-based study using NHANES database during the period 1999-2004. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. RESULT S: Data for 12,446 individuals of which 146 had a diagnosis for melanoma were extracted. Melanoma group were older than the no melanoma group as 51% of the melanoma group were 60 years or elder; however 53.6% of the no melanoma group falls below 30 years old. Melanoma group had higher frequency of hypertension (37%) compared to the no melanoma group (22.5%). Logistic regression revealed that melanoma patients had higher odds of hypertension prevalence using the unadjusted model (odds ratio (OR): 2.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45-2.84, P<0.001). However, after controlling of all potential confounding factors the significance was lost (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.61-1.3, P=0.54). CONCLUSIONS: There may be a possible association of melanoma with hypertension comorbidity. With the limitations we faced, we encourage further research to confirm the association of melanoma and hypertension comorbidity.