A case-control study on risk factors for pancreatic diseases in Kerala, India

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We simultaneously conducted case-control studies, in Keral a of South India, on chronic calcific pancreatitis of the tropics (CCPT), p ancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) with CCPT, and PDA alone to assess si milarity of and difference between their risk factors, METHODOLOGY: Cases with one of these diseases were identified at the Trivan drum Medical College (TMC) Hospital, in Kerala, from 1994 to 1996. Controls were selected from healthy hospital visitors of the TMC Hospital by indivi dual age (within +/-3 years) and sex-matched with the index case. Odds rati os and their 95% confidence intervals for potential risk factors were calcu lated. RESULTS: Frequent consumption of cassava was positively associated with the risk of PDA with CGPT, Heavy cigarette smoking and drinking large amounts of coffee and/or tea everyday were positively related to the risk of PDA al one. Frequent consumption of vegetables and/or fruits was correlated to the decreased risk of PDA alone. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors as well as preventive factors seem to be differen t between PDA with CCPT and PDA alone. Further study is necessary, especial ly to clarify the prognostic factors which would induce pancreatic malignan cy in patients with CCPT.