Selected food intake and risk of endometriosis.
BACKGROUND
To offer data on the relationship between diet and risk of pelvic endometriosis, we analysed data collected in the framework of two case-control studies.


METHODS
Data from two case-control studies conducted in Northern Italy between 1984 and 1999 were combined. Cases were 504 women aged < 65 years (median age 33 years, range 20-65) with a laparoscopically confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis, admitted to a network of obstetrics and gynaecology departments in Milan, Brescia and Pavia. Controls were 504 women (median age 34 years, range 20-61) admitted for acute non-gynaecological, non-hormonal, non-neoplastic conditions.


RESULTS
Compared to women in the lowest tertile of intake, a significant reduction in risk emerged for higher intake of green vegetables [odds ratio (OR) = 0.3 for the highest tertile of intake] and fresh fruit (OR = 0.6), whereas an increase in risk was associated with high intake of beef and other red meat (OR = 2.0) and ham (OR = 1.8). Consumption of milk, liver, carrots, cheese, fish and whole-grain foods, as well as coffee and alcohol consumption, were not significantly related to endometriosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests a link between diet and risk of endometriosis.
Parazzini
F
F
Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', 20157 Milano, Clinica Ostetrico Ginecologica, Università di Milano, 20122 Milano and Studi di via Fontana, 20122 Milano, Italy. parazzini@marionegri.it
Chiaffarino
F
F
Surace
M
M
Chatenoud
L
L
Cipriani
S
S
Chiantera
V
V
Benzi
G
G
Fedele
L
L
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004435:Eating; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008460:Meat; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012307:Risk Factors; D014675:Vegetables