Folate intake and the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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#esophageal-neoplasms #folic-acid #humans #pancreatic-neoplasms #pubmed

Folate intake and the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tio et al., 2014 | J Gastroenterol Hepatol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Tio Martin, Andrici Juliana, ... Eslick Guy D. Folate intake and the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014-Feb;29(2):250-8. doi:10.1111/jgh.12446

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: There is conflicting evidence on the association between folate intake and the risk of upper gastrointestinal tract cancers. In order to further elucidate this relationship, we performed a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis of folate intake and the risk of esophageal, gastric, and pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Four electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Current Contents Connect) were searched to July 26, 2013, with no language restrictions for observational studies that measured folate intake and the risk of esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, or pancreatic cancer. Pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random effects model. RESULTS: The meta-analysis of dietary folate and esophageal cancer risk comprising of nine retrospective studies showed a decreased risk of esophageal cancer (odds ratio [OR] 0.59; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.51-0.69). The meta-analysis of dietary folate and gastric cancer risk comprising of 16 studies showed no association (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.78-1.14). The meta-analysis of dietary folate and pancreatic cancer risk comprising of eight studies showed a decreased risk of pancreatic cancer (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.49-0.89). CONCLUSION: Dietary folate intake is associated with a decreased risk of esophageal and pancreatic cancer, but not gastric cancer. Interpretation of these relationships is complicated by significant heterogeneity between studies when pooled, and by small numbers of studies available to analyze when stratification is performed to reduce heterogeneity.

Key Findings

The meta-analysis of dietary folate and esophageal cancer risk comprising of nine retrospective studies showed a decreased risk of esophageal cancer (odds ratio [OR] 0.59; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.51-0.69). The meta-analysis of dietary folate and gastric cancer risk comprising of 16 studies showed no association (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.78-1.14). The meta-analysis of dietary folate and pancreatic cancer risk comprising of eight studies showed a decreased risk of pancreatic cancer (OR 0.66; 9

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 16
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Esophageal Neoplasms
  • Folic Acid
  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms
  • PubMed
  • Risk

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: folate

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09