Association of vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc with laryngeal cancer.
BACKGROUND
The incidence of the cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus and larynx in different population groups of India is amongst the highest reported in Asian countries. There is evidence that high dietary carotenoids and vitamin C may possibly decrease the risk of laryngeal cancer. Limited data is available from India on the association between these micronutrients and the risk of laryngeal cancer.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the levels of vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc in laryngeal cancer patients and healthy controls.


METHODS
A hospital based case- control study.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty five laryngeal cancer patients and a control group of 155 healthy individuals constituted the study population. Individuals in the control group were individually matched with the patients for their age +/- 2 years, sex and place of residence. Venous blood was drawn from the cases and controls and estimations of vitamin A, zinc and vitamin C was done utilizing the standard procedures.


METHODS
Paired 't' test to compare the mean serum levels of vitamin A and zinc and plasma vitamin C between laryngeal cancer patients and controls. Univariate logistic regression analysis to calculate the odds ratios and the confidence intervals.


RESULTS
The mean serum vitamin A, zinc and plasma vitamin C levels were significantly lower in laryngeal cancer patients as compared to the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the present study indicated a strong association of these micronutrients with laryngeal cancer in the Indian population.
Kapil
U
U
Department of Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110 029. India. kapilumesh@hotmail.com
Singh
P
P
Bahadur
S
S
Shukla
N K
NK
Dwivedi
S
S
Pathak
P
P
Singh
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
D014801:Vitamin A; D015032:Zinc; D001205:Ascorbic Acid