Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis of Epidemiological Studies. (11th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Du, Taifeng; Chen, Kangkang; Zheng, Shukai; Bao, Mian; Huang, Yuanni; Wu, Kusheng
• Is Part Of: Alcoholism. Volume 43:Number 11(2019)
• Page Start: 2262
• Page End: 2273
• Publication Date: 2019-09-11
• Subjects: Alcohol Consumption -- Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma -- Meta‐Analysis; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoolisme; Electronic journals; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.861005
• DOI: 10.1111/acer.14184
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-6008

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Alcohol consumption is increasing all over the world, but whether it is an independent factor affecting the occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is inconsistent in many studies. We aimed to explore the association between alcohol consumption and NPC risk by integrating existing evidence in a meta‐analysis. Methods: We searched for relevant articles published up to August 2018 in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge infrastructure (CNKI). The Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Odds ratios (ORs) or relative risks were pooled to estimate the associations between alcohol consumption and NPC risk. Results: The meta‐analysis of cohort studies showed no significant association between alcohol consumption and NPC, but pooled results from case–control studies indicated that ever drinking increased the probability of NPC versus nondrinking (OR = 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.19). As compared with nondrinkers, high‐frequency drinking (≥7 times/wk) increased the NPC probability (OR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.53) and low‐frequency drinking (<7 times/wk) decreased the probability (OR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.94), as did shorter duration of drinking (<20 years) (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.49, 0.79). On subgroup analyses, significant pooled results were observed for studies with high quality, with hospital‐based controls and with adjustment for confounding factors, smoking, age, and sex. Conclusions: The risk of NPC may increase with alcohol consumption. Ever drinking increased the risk versus nondrinking. Additionally, high‐frequency drinking increased the risk, but low‐frequency drinking decreased it to some extent. Further intensive studies based on well‐designed methods are needed to examine the association. Abstract : Alcohol consumption is increasing worldwide, and there are many inconsistencies about the association between alcohol and the risk of NPC. Present study summarized all the existing evidence to explore the association between alcohol and NPC. The pooled results demonstrate that alcohol consumption may be positively associated with risk of NPC versus nondrinking. Additionally, high‐frequency drinking also increases the risk of NPC. Further intensive studies based on well‐designed schemes are needed to examine the association.