Gastric Cancer
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2005. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 28, 2005; 11(28): 4311-4316
Published online Jul 28, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i28.4311
Nutritional factors and gastric cancer in Zhoushan Islands, China
Jiong-Liang Qiu, Kun Chen, Jian-Ning Zheng, Jian-Yue Wang, Li-Jun Zhang, Li-Ming Sui
Jiong-Liang Qiu, Jian-Ning Zheng, Department of Health and Quarantine, Ningbo Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Ningbo 315012, Zhejiang Province, China
Kun Chen, Department of Epidemiology, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
Jian-Yue Wang, Zhoushan Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Zhoushan 316000, Zhejiang Province, China
Li-Jun Zhang, Li-Ming Sui, Jiangdong Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Ningbo 315000, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Foundation of Ministry of Public Health of China, No. WKZ-2001-1-17
Correspondence to: Dr. Jiong-Liang Qiu, Department of Health and Quarantine, Ningbo Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, 9 Ma-yuan Road, Ningbo 315012, Zhejiang Province, China. qiujunliang@163.com
Telephone: +86-574-87022519 Fax: +86-574-87146206
Received: October 26, 2004
Revised: December 11, 2004
Accepted: December 21, 2004
Published online: July 28, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the association between nutrient intakes and high incidence rate of gastric cancer among residents in Zhoushan Islands.

METHODS: A frequency-matched design of case-control study was used during the survey on dietary factors and gastric cancer in Zhoushan Islands, China. A total of 103 cases of gastric cancer diagnosed in 2001 were included in the study and 133 controls were randomly selected from the residents in Zhoushan Islands. A food frequency questionnaire was specifically designed for the Chinese dietary pattern to collect information on dietary intake. A computerized database of the dietary and other relative information of each participant was completed. Total calories and 15 nutrients were calculated according to the food composition table and their adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by gender using unconditional logistic regression models.

RESULTS: High intakes of protein, saturated fat, and cholesterol were observed with the increased risk of gastric cancer particularly among males (ORQ4 vs Q1 were 10.3, 3.24, 2.76 respectively). While carbohydrate was a significant high-risk nutrient (ORQ4 vs Q1 = 14.8; P for linear trend = 0.024) among females. Regardless of their gender, the cases reported significantly higher daily intake of sodium mainly from salts. As to the nutrients of vitamins A and C, an inversed association with the risk of GC was found. Baseline characteristics of participants were briefly described.

CONCLUSION: The findings from this study confirm the role of diet-related exposure in the etiology of gastric cancer from the point of view of epidemiology. An increased risk of gastric cancer is associated with high intakes of protein, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, while consumption of polyunsaturated fat, vitamin A and ascorbic acid may have a protective effect against gastric cancer.

Keywords: Gastric cancer; Nutrient intake; Case-control; Risk factor; Protective effect; Antioxidants