Plantago ovata consumption and colorectal mortality in Spain, 1995-2000.
BACKGROUND
Consumption of Plantago ovata may protect against colorectal cancer. To test this hypothesis, an ecological study was performed to determine mortality rates and distribution of colorectal cancer, and the consumption and distribution of P ovata, in different provinces in Spain. The putative association between P ovata consumption and mortality from colorectal cancer was then evaluated.


METHODS
We conducted a comparative ecological study of Spanish provinces, with colorectal cancer mortality as the dependent variable and per capita consumption of P ovata by province and year as the independent variable. Associations were analyzed by calculating Spearman's correlation coefficients and a Poisson multiple regression model.


RESULTS
Consumption of P ovata tended to be inversely correlated with mortality from colorectal cancer. In the Poisson regression analysis this tendency remained and reached statistical significance for the top quintile of P ovata consumption in the adjusted analysis (P = 0.042).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show an inverse trend between the consumption of P ovata and colorectal cancer mortality. We recommend additional observational studies of individuals, in order to better control confounding factors.
López
José Carlos
JC
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
Villanueva
Rosa
R
Martínez-Hernández
David
D
Albaladejo
Romana
R
Regidor
Enrique
E
Calle
María Elisa
ME
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003710:Demography; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010943:Plantago; D020011:Protective Agents; D011620:Psyllium; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D020011:Protective Agents; D011620:Psyllium