Diet and stomach cancer: a case-control study in South India

A prospective case-control study was conducted in Trivandrum, India, to eva luate the dietary risk factors for stomach cancer. One hundred and ninety-f our patients with stomach cancer registered at the Regional Cancer Centre ( RCC), Trivandrum, Kerala, India, during the period 1988-1991 were considere d as cases. A minimum of one control (n = 305), matched for age (+/-5 years ), sex, religion and residential area was selected from the visitors to RCC during the same period. Interviews were carried out using a predetermined structured food frequency questionnaire. The information collected also inc luded socio-demographic/ economic background, tobacco chewing, tobacco smok ing and alcohol habits. Data were analysed using a multiple logistic regres sion model. Odds ratios for all dietary variables were estimated. Increased risks were observed with higher consumption of rice (OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.6-10 .0). Risk was high for those consuming spicy food (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.1-5.0), high consumption of chilli (OR 7.4; 95% CI 4.0- 13.5) and consumption of h igh-temperature food (OR 7.0; 95% CI 3.7-12.9). On multivariate analysis, h igh consumption of rice, high consumption of chilli and consumption of high -temperature food were found to be independent risk factors. (C) 2000 Lippi ncott Williams & Wilkins.