Anthropometric factors and pancreatic cancer in a population-based case-control study in the San Francisco Bay area.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between pancreatic cancer, anthropometric factors, physical activity and caloric intake.


METHODS
Participants in our population-based case-control study of adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas (532 cases, 1701 frequency-matched controls) in the San Francisco Bay Area were accrued between 1995 and 1999 and interviewed in-person. Data were analyzed by sex in age-adjusted unconditional logistic models and main effects were considered significant for two-sided p-values < or = 0.05.


RESULTS
Odds ratios were elevated for body mass index (BMI) at age 25 years (4th versus 1st quartile: odds ratio (OR) = 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-3.1), maximum BMI (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.7) and usual adult BMI (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.2) among men. Odds ratios were elevated for increased caloric intake among men (4th versus 1st quartile: OR = 2.6, 95% C: 1.7-3.8). Increased physical activity was suggestive of decreased risk in men and women although CIs included unity. Our results suggest that increased BMI and caloric intake are associated with pancreatic cancer among men.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are consistent with other cancer studies and support further research to determine the mechanism by which increased BMI may influence the development of pancreatic cancer.
Eberle
Carey A
CA
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, 3333 California Street, Suite 280, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Bracci
Paige M
PM
Holly
Elizabeth A
EA
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires