title: Folate intake, serum folate levels and esophageal cancer risk: an overall and dose-response meta-analysis.
abstract: Previously reported findings on the association between folate intake or serum folate levels and esophageal cancer risk have been inconsistent. This study aims to summarize the evidence regarding these relationships using a dose-response meta-analysis approach. We performed electronic searches of the Pubmed, Medline and Cochrane Library electronic databases to identify studies examining the effect of folate on the risk of esophageal cancer. Ultimately, 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Summary odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using a random effects model. A linear regression analysis of the natural logarithm of the OR was carried out to assess the possible dose-response relationship between folate intake and esophageal cancer risk. The pooled ORs for esophageal cancer in the highest vs. lowest levels of dietary folate intake and serum folate were 0.63 (95% CI: 0.56-0.71) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.55-0.92), respectively. The dose-response meta-analysis indicated that a 100 μg/day increment in dietary folate intake reduced the estimate risk of esophageal cancer by 12%. These findings suggest that dietary and serum folate exert a protective effect against esophageal carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology Intervention, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology Intervention, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Chenyang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology Intervention, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Hongtao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology Intervention, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology Intervention, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Junli
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology Intervention, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Erjiang
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology Intervention, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Hailiang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D004032:Diet; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D065840:Protective Factors; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: dose-response; esophageal cancer; folate; meta-analysis