title: Stomach cancer mortality among workers exposed to asbestos: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationship between asbestos and stomach cancer is not well understood because of small number of cases. This study aimed to determine the incidence and mortality of stomach cancer among workers exposed to asbestos based on a systematic review and meta-analysis approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant English electronic databases were systematically searched for published studies characterizing the risk of developing stomach cancer as a result of asbestos exposure. Standardized mortality rate (SMR) for stomach cancer with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was pooled using a fixed-/random-effect model in STATA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 32 independent studies were included for the analysis. The overall SMR for stomach cancer was 1.19 (95% CI 1.06-1.34), with a moderate degree of heterogeneity across the studies (I(2) = 37.6%, P = 0.011). Being male, exposure to crocidolite, miners, studies conducted in Europe and Oceania, and long study follow-up (≥ 25 years) all contribute to significantly higher SMR. Significant publication bias was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated risk of stomach cancer mortality was evidenced among workers exposed to crocidolite, especially male miners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China.
authors.forename: Wen-jia
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Xian-jie
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Bing-gan
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Lin-sheng
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D001194:Asbestos / Q000633:toxicity; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008906:Mining; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D014937:Work; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos