Does intake of alcohol increase the risk of presence and growth of colorectal adenomas followed-up in situ for three years?
BACKGROUND
Alcohol has been suggested as a promoter in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our aim was to examine if alcohol intake was related to the presence and growth of colorectal adenomas <9 mm followed up in situ for 3 years.


METHODS
We compared 87 adenoma cases to 35 'hospital' and 35 healthy controls (age- and sex-matched and proven to be polyp-free). These cases were participating in a 3-year intervention study against growth and recurrence of polyps. Alcohol data were obtained using a structured interview (I) and a 5-day dietary record by weighing (DR).


RESULTS
The median intakes of alcohol were 5 g/day (I) and 6 g/day (DR). Increasing differences were found between I and DR with increasing alcohol intake. Increasing total alcohol intake showed a tendency to an inverse association with adenoma occurrence (ORs <0.5), in contrast to the tendency of a positive association with adenoma growth (ORs >5.8). No significant beverage-specific effects were observed at this low alcohol intake level. Those with an intake of >20 g alcohol/day (18%) had several indicators of an 'unhealthy' lifestyle that may also be independently associated with adenomas, and even CRC.


CONCLUSIONS
A very low intake of alcohol (<5 g/day) did not increase the risk of presence and of growth of adenomas followed-up in situ for 3 years, but we cannot exclude that an increased intake may increase the risk of adenoma growth.
Almendingen
K
K
Medical Dept of Rikshospitalet Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway.
Hofstad
B
B
Vatn
M H
MH
D000236:Adenoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000473:pathology; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors