title: Red and processed meat intake and risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma: a meta-analysis of observational studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Inconsistent results relating dietary red and processed meat intake and risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) have been reported. This article summarizes and quantifies the current evidence in a meta-analysis of observational studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed to identify peer-reviewed manuscripts up to 31 May 2012. Random-effects models were used to pool study results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten manuscripts from 3 cohort studies and 7 case-control studies were identified. The summary relative risks (SRRs) of EAC for highest versus lowest intake categories were 1.31 (95 % confidence intervals [CIs]: 1.05-1.64) for red meat consumption, and 1.41 (95 % CIs 1.09-1.83) for processed meat consumption. Subgroup analyses indicated that these positive relations were seen in case-control studies, but not in cohort studies. Based on dose-response analysis, similar results were found; the SRRs were 1.45(95 % CIs 1.09-1.93) per 100 g/day of red meat intake and 1.37 (95 % CIs 1.03-1.81) per 50 g/day of processed meat intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this meta-analysis indicate that consumption of red and processed meat may be associated with increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. More studies, particularly prospective studies, are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital of Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yujing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Jiping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zhaoshen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008461:Meat Products / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019370:Observation; D012307:Risk Factors