A protective effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) against gliomas has been suggested by a small number of studies. We investigated this putative association in a nationwide setting.

Using a case-control design, we identified all patients with histologically verified glioma (cases) in Denmark between 2000 and 2012 and matched these 1 : 20 to population controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for glioma associated with long-term (⩾3 years) use of TCAs. Similar analyses were performed for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

We identified 3767 glioma cases and 75 340 population controls. Long-term use of TCAs was inversely associated with risk of glioma (OR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.41-1.25). Long-term SSRI use was not associated with glioma risk (OR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.75-1.16).

Our study indicated that long-term use of TCAs may be associated with a reduced risk of glioma, however, the statistical precision was limited. A similar pattern was not observed for use of SSRIs.British Journal of Cancer advance online publication, 26 April 2016; doi:10.1038/bjc.2016.109 www.bjcancer.com.