Abstract
BackgroundMany studies investigated the association between alcohol drinking and gastric cancer risk, but the results were controversial. We performed a meta-analysis of observational studies to explore the association.Materials and MethodsWe searched PubMed to identify the relevant studies that reported the association between alcohol drinking and gastric cancer risk up to December 31, 2016. We pooled relative risks (RRs) in random effects model and performed dose-response analysis to quantify the association. Cochran Q test and I2 analyses were used to evaluate the heterogeneity. Meta-regression, subgroup, sensitivity and publication bias analyses were also performed.Results75 studies were included in our study. The pooled RR of high vs low total alcohol drinking was 1.25 (95% CI, 1.15–1.37, P < 0.001), and a nonlinear association was further observed. Subgroup analysis showed that alcohol drinking significantly associated with the risk of gastric noncardia cancer (RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.01–1.40, P = 0.033), but not with the risk of gastric cardia cancer (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.98–1.39, P = 0.087). Notably, the pooled RRs of high vs low analyses were 1.13 (95% CI, 1.03–1.24, P = 0.012) for beer drinking, 1.22 (95% CI, 1.06–1.40, P = 0.005) for liquor drinking, and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.84–1.16, P = 0.857) for wine drinking.ConclusionsOur meta-analysis found a nonlinear association between alcohol drinking and gastric cancer risk, and heavy drinking level was strongly related to gastric cancer risk. Beer and liquor had significant positive associations with gastric cancer risk, while wine drinking would not increase gastric cancer risk. These results need to be verified in future research.
Highlights
Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the third most common cause of death from cancer worldwide [1]
The pooled relative risks (RRs) of high vs low total alcohol drinking was 1.25, and a nonlinear association was further observed
Subgroup analysis showed that alcohol drinking significantly associated with the risk of gastric noncardia cancer (RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.01–1.40, P = 0.033), but not with the risk of gastric cardia cancer (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.98–1.39, P = 0.087)
Summary
Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the third most common cause of death from cancer worldwide [1]. Several previous meta-analyses have investigated this topic before [7,8,9,10,11,12,13] and some of these studies analyzed the doseresponse association between alcohol consumption and gastric cancer risk [10,11,12]. The results of linear association or non-linear association between alcohol and gastric cancer risk were different [10, 11, 13]. Only one recent study analyzed the different effects of different types of alcoholic beverages on gastric cancer risk [13]. Many studies investigated the association between alcohol drinking and gastric cancer risk, but the results were controversial. We performed a metaanalysis of observational studies to explore the association
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
