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Dietary fibre intake and its role in the oesophageal inflammation–metaplasia–adenocarcinoma sequence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 November 2009

H. G. Mulholland
Affiliation:
Cancer Epidemiology & Prevention Research Group, Centre for Public Health, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BJ, UK
M. M. Cantwell
Affiliation:
Cancer Epidemiology & Prevention Research Group, Centre for Public Health, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BJ, UK
L. A. Anderson
Affiliation:
Cancer Epidemiology & Prevention Research Group, Centre for Public Health, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BJ, UK
B. T. Johnston
Affiliation:
Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, Belfast BT8 8BH, UK
R. G. P. Watson
Affiliation:
Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, Belfast BT8 8BH, UK
S. J. Murphy
Affiliation:
Daisy Hill Hospital, Belfast BT35 8DR, UK
H. R. Ferguson
Affiliation:
Craigavon Area Hospital, Belfast BT63 5QQ, UK
J. McGuigan
Affiliation:
Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, Belfast BT8 8BH, UK
J. V. Reynolds
Affiliation:
St James's Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
H. Comber
Affiliation:
National Cancer Registry, Cork, Republic of Ireland
L. J. Murray
Affiliation:
Cancer Epidemiology & Prevention Research Group, Centre for Public Health, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BJ, UK
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Abstract

Type
Abstract
Copyright
Copyright © The Author 2009

Recurrent gastric acid reflux can result in inflammation and mucosal erosions in the squamous epithelium of the oesophagus, a condition known as reflux oesophagitis (RO)(Reference Kahrilas1). Over time, Barrett's oesophagus (BO) can develop when these cells in the distal oesophagus undergo a permanent metaplastic change to columnar-type epithelium(Reference Fitzgerald2). BO is a premalignant condition for oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) and incidence rates of this cancer have tripled in the UK over recent decades(Reference Fitzgerald2, Reference Newnham, Quinn and Babb3). Foods containing dietary fibre may protect against oesophageal cancer(4); however, the association with OAC specifically, and the stage at which fibre may exert its effect in the inflammation–metaplasia–adenocarcinoma sequence, remains to be clarified.

In an all-Ireland case–control study information was collected from patients with OAC (n 224), long-segment BO (n 220), RO (n 219) and healthy population-based controls (n 256) on lifestyle factors and dietary intake using a 101-item FFQ between March 2002 and July 2005. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to examine the association between dietary Englyst fibre intake and disease risk, comparing the highest with the lowest tertiles of intake and also using continuous variables. Regression models adjusted for confounding variables including age, gender, energy intake, smoking, education, occupation, alcohol, medication use and after further adjustment for Helicobacter pylori infection.

No significant association was identified between fibre intake and RO risk. Dietary fibre was strongly inversely related to BO risk when examining both the highest v. lowest tertile of intake (OR 0.44 (95% CI 0.25, 0.80)) and per 10 g/d increment in intake (OR 0.54 (95% CI 0.36, 0.83)). This protective association was slightly strengthened after further adjustment for H. pylori infection. An inverse association was also observed between fibre intake and OAC risk, although a dose–response relationship was not apparent, as the reduced risk peaked in the middle tertile of intake (OR 0.52 (95% CI 0.29, 0.98)).

Fibre does not appear to have a role in the initiation stages of OAC development, as intake was unrelated to RO risk. The present study is the first to demonstrate a strong inverse association between fibre intake and BO risk, suggesting a protective effect of dietary fibre in the intermediate stage of the oesophageal inflammation–metaplasia–adenocarcinoma sequence. Fibre intake was also inversely associated with OAC risk, although the effect appeared to plateau in the middle tertile of intake.

References

1. Kahrilas, PJ (1996) JAMA 276, 983998.Google Scholar
2. Fitzgerald, RC (2004) Aliment Pharmacol Ther 20, Suppl. 8, S45S49.Google Scholar
3. Newnham, A, Quinn, MJ, Babb, P et al. (2003) Aliment Pharmacol Ther 17, 665676.Google Scholar
4. World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (2007) Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective. Washington, DC: AICR.Google Scholar