DIET AND SERUM MARKERS IN RELATION TO PRIMARY BRAIN-TUMOR RISK IN CHINA

Associations between primary brain tumor mortality and dietary habits, certain ser um biochemical markers, and life-style factors were evalu ated in a county-based coir elation study utilizing data collected fro m an ecological survey in 49 Chinese rural counties. Univariate correl ation and multivariate regression analyses showed that high consumptio n of salt-preserved vegetables was linked to increased primary brain t umor mortality rates, although the association was significant only am ong men. In addition, high intake of gr een vegetables among men was a ssociated with decreased rates. No clear association was seen between primary brain tumor mortality rates and tobacco use, body mass index, and serum biochemical markers. Limitations of these ecological data pr eclude causal inferences, but the findings provide etiologic clues to primary brain tumor mortality in rural China.