Association between Vitamin B12 and Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Studies

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#epidemiologic-studies #helicobacter-infections #humans #stomach-neoplasms #vitamin-b-12

Association between Vitamin B12 and Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Studies

He et al., 2022 | Nutr Cancer | Meta Analysis

Citation

He Jianbo, Fu Hongjuan, ... Chang Hui. Association between Vitamin B12 and Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Studies. Nutr Cancer. 2022;74(9):3263-3273. doi:10.1080/01635581.2022.2074062

Abstract

Epidemiological studies focusing on the association between vitamin B12 and gastric cancer risk reported inconsistent findings. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the relationship. PubMed (Medline), Web of science and EMBASE databases were systematically searched. A total of nine studies involving 3,494 cases of with gastric cancer and 611,638 participants were included. The result showed that there is no significant association between vitamin B12 intake and the risk of gastric cancer (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.69-1.12, P = 0.303). Nevertheless, high intake of vitamin B12 might decrease the risk of gastric cancer in Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-negative people (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.62-0.99, P = 0.044), but increase the cancer risk in Hp-positive populations (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.27-2.16, P = 10-4). Additionally, further analysis indicated that excessive vitamin B12 might increase the risk of non-cardia gastric cancer (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.33, P = 0.006). A negative association between vitamin B12 intake and gastric cancer risk was found in nonsmokers (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.71-0.96, P = 0.012) but not in smokers (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.71-1.47, P = 0.619). In conclusion, although we found no convincing evidence that vitamin B12 intake is associated with the risk of gastric cancer, it is important to maintain the relative stability of vitamin B12 for people with Hp infection.

Key Findings

In conclusion, although we found no convincing evidence that vitamin B12 intake is associated with the risk of gastric cancer, it is important to maintain the relative stability of vitamin B12 for people with Hp infection.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 611638
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Epidemiologic Studies
  • Helicobacter Infections
  • Humans
  • Stomach Neoplasms
  • Vitamin B 12
  • Vitamins

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: vitamin-b12

Provenance

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