title: Plantago ovata consumption and colorectal mortality in Spain, 1995-2000.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
authors: José Carlos
authors: JC
authors: López
authors: Rosa
authors: R
authors: Villanueva
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Martínez-Hernández
authors: Romana
authors: R
authors: Albaladejo
authors: Enrique
authors: E
authors: Regidor
authors: María Elisa
authors: ME
authors: Calle
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D020011:Protective Agents; D011620:Psyllium