Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association with Lifestyle, Diets, Socioeconomic and Sociodemographic in Asian Region.

OBJECTIVE

Risk factors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have been linked with diets, life style and viral<br /> infections. NPC is more rampant in Asian populations than non-Asian countries. Our study aims to assess the validity<br /> of the suggestions provided by multiple case control studies demonstrating that salted fish consumption, smoking and<br /> alcohol consumption are associated with the risk of NPC in Asia.

METHODS

Search for related literature on salted fish,<br /> smoking and alcohol consumption were performed via Science Direct, PubMed databases and Google Scholar. Articles<br /> included in this study were from 2009 to 2017, with specific focus on salted fish, smoking and alcohol consumption<br /> as risk factors of NPC. This study excluded all articles published prior to 2009 and articles involving other cancers.<br /> Data were extracted independently by two different researchers and harmonized. Meta-analysis was conducted on the<br /> obtained data, by using R package Meta to create funnel and forest plots.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis revealed that<br /> salted fish, smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly associated to NPC risk with random effect model score<br /> showing OR of 1.41 at 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.13-1.75 (P<0.01), OR of 1.89 at 95 % CI of 1.49 - 2.38, and<br /> OR: 1.42 at 95 % CI of 1.23 - 1.65 respectively. Our results also revealed significant association of salted meat, salted<br /> vegetables, house type, wood dust exposure associated with NPC risk with p values less than 0.05.

CONCLUSION

This<br /> study proposes that salted fish intake, smoking and alcohol consumption might be linked to NPC risk in Asians. Further<br /> studies are necessary to ascertain the molecular mechanisms and clarify if the associated path that could function as<br /> therapeutic target.