Premium
Meta‐analysis of animal fat intake and colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Alexander Dominik D,
Cushing Colleen A,
Lowe Kimberly A
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.898.4
Subject(s) - colorectal cancer , medicine , cohort study , cohort , prospective cohort study , meta analysis , animal studies , study heterogeneity , cancer , confounding , relative risk , random effects model , oncology , confidence interval
The association between animal fat and colorectal cancer is unclear. Therefore, we conducted a meta‐analysis of six prospective cohort studies published through 2007 that reported data for animal fat as a nutrient variable. These studies contributed approximately 1,070 cases of colorectal cancer and 1.5 million person‐years of follow‐up. We used random effects meta‐analyses to model data across studies. Statistical analyses consisted of high vs. low intake comparisons, categorical dose‐response evaluations, and assessments of heterogeneity. In addition, data from three case‐control studies were combined with the cohort data. The summary relative risk estimate (SRRE) for these studies was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.83‐1.31, p‐value for heterogeneity = 0.221), based on high vs. low intake. When data from case‐control studies were combined with the cohort data, the resulting SRRE was 1.15 (95% CI: 0.93‐1.42) with increased variability (p‐value for heterogeneity = 0.015). In our dose‐response analysis of the cohort studies, no association between a 20g/day increment of animal fat intake and colorectal cancer was observed (SRRE = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.94‐1.08). Based on the results of this quantitative assessment, the available epidemiologic evidence does not support a causal association between consumption of animal fat and colorectal cancer. Partially funded by the Cattlemen's Beef Board and the NPB.