title: Association between calcium intake and colorectal neoplasia in Puerto Rican Hispanics.
abstract: Epidemiological studies show that a high calcium intake reduces the risk of colon cancer. The objective was to study the association between calcium intake and colorectal neoplasia in a clinic-based sample of Hispanics adults from Puerto Rico. As part of this cross-sectional study, a total of 433 subjects were recruited from surgery and gastroenterology clinics at the University of Puerto Rico. Calcium intake was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) of calcium rich foods. Socio-demographics, health history and colonoscopy results were obtained from the primary study. Chi square and odds ratios (OR) for colorectal neoplasia (adenomas and/ or adenocarcinoma) were calculated for total calcium, dietary calcium and for calcium supplement use. In total, 312 (72%) from 433 participants completed the FFQ and had available colonoscopy results; from these, 196 (62.5%) were free of neoplasia and 117 (37.5%) had colorectal neoplasia. Colorectal neoplasia subjects were older, a lower proportion were females and less educated than those without neoplasia (p < 0.01). Total calcium intake (median 1180 mg/d) was greater in those free of neoplasia compared to colorectal neoplasia subjects (median 1036 mg/d; p<0.05). A high total calcium intake and the use of calcium supplements significantly reduced the OR (crude and age adjusted) for colorectal neoplasia; although these associations lost statistical significance after additionally adjusting for gender and educational level. In conclusion, a high calcium intake and the use of calcium supplements may be protective against colorectal neoplasia, although a greater sample may be required to observe significant associations in a multivariate model.
authors.affiliation: University of Puerto Rico, University of North Texas, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan. Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palacios
authors.forename: Maritza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Ana Patricia
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: Marcia Cruz
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Correa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015930:Diet Records; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary