Anthropometric factors in differentiated thyroid cancer in French Polynesia: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
French Polynesia has one of the world's highest thyroid cancer incidence rates. A case-control study among native residents of French Polynesia included 219 cases of differentiated thyroid cancers diagnosed between 1979 and 2004 (195 women/24 men) matched with 359 population controls (315 women/44 men) on the date of birth.


METHODS
Anthropometric factors were analyzed by conditional logistic regression.


RESULTS
The risk of thyroid cancer for women in the highest quartile of body mass index (BMI) before diagnosis and at age 18 was 2.3-fold higher (95% CI, 1.1-4.7 p = 0.04) and 2.3-fold higher (95% CI, 1.2-4.4 p < 0.01), respectively, compared with the lowest. Women who were overweight (BMI = 25-29.9 kg/m2) or obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) at age 18 and before diagnosis had an increased risk compared with those with a normal lifelong weight (OR = 6.2; 95% CI, 2.5-15.5 p < 0.01). Results for excess weight appeared in similar directions for men, although the number of cases was too small to provide reliable estimates. Height was positively associated with thyroid cancer among men and women.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows the role of excess body weight, especially if the onset is during early adulthood, and elevated height in the risk of differentiated thyroid cancer in populations born in French Polynesia.
Brindel
Pauline
P
INSERM Unit 605, Institut Gustave Roussy, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France.
Doyon
Françoise
F
Rachédi
Frédérique
F
Boissin
Jean-Louis
JL
Sebbag
Joseph
J
Shan
Larrys
L
Chungue
Vaiana
V
Bost-Bezeaud
Frédérique
F
Petitdidier
Patrice
P
Paoaafaite
John
J
Teuri
Joseph
J
de Vathaire
Florent
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011114:Polynesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*