Dietary Risk Factors and Odds of Colorectal Adenoma in Malaysia: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Current evidence suggests that dietary and lifestyle factors may play an important role in colorectal cancer risk but there are only a few studies that investigated their relationship with colorectal adenomas (CRA), the precursors for colorectal cancer. A case-control study was conducted to determine the relationship between dietary and lifestyle factors associated with CRA risk among 125 subjects with CRA and 150 subjects without CRA at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM (HCTM), Malaysia. We used dietary history questionnaire (DHQ) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ) to estimate the diet and physical activity. The findings of this study showed that male gender [OR = 2.71 (95% CI= 1.01–7.27)], smoking [OR = 6.39 (95% CI= 1.04–39.30)], family history of cancer [OR = 6.39 (95% CI= 1.04–39.30)], high body fat percentage [OR = 1.25 (95% CI= 1.04–1.51)], high calorie and fat intake [OR = 1.03 (95% CI= 1.01–1.06)], [OR = 1.01 (95% CI= 0.95–1.09)] and red meat intake more than 100 g per day [OR = 1.02 (95% CI= 1.01–1.04)] increased CRA risk. High fiber [OR = 0.78 (95% CI= 0.64–0.95)] and calcium intake [OR = 0.78 (95% CI= 0.98–1.00)] was found to decrease CRA risk. Some of these modifiable risk factors could be advocated as lifestyle interventions to reduce risk of CRA.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge all staff at Endoscopy Centre, Pusat Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for the help in data collection. They also thank all participants who have contributed to the development of this important body of knowledge.

Authors’ contributions

Razinah Sharif led conception and initial design of the study, conducted the analysis and interpretation of data, drafted the manuscript, and revised content based on feedback. Yau Jia Xin, Nor Hidayah Abdul Hamid and Nur Mahirah Amani Mohammad assisted with data collection and data analysis. Raja Affendi Raja Ali assisted with the design of the study and data collection. Suzana Shahar contributed to the study design, data analysis and critical input for the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

We acknowledge internal grant from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (GUP 2018-065) and FRGS grant from Ministry of Higher Education (FRGS/1/2020/STG02/UKM/02/5) for the financial assistances.