Dietary Factors Associated with Pancreatic Cancer Risk in Minia, Egypt: Principal Component Analysis

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a serious and rapidly progressing malignancy. Identifying risk factors<br />including dietary elements is important to develop preventive strategies. This study focused on possible links between<br />diet and PC. Methods: We conducted a case-control study including all PC patients diagnosed at Minia Cancer Center<br />and controls from general population from June 2014 to December 2015. Dietary data were collected directly through<br />personal interviews. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify dietary groups. The data were<br />analyzed using crude odds ratios (ORs) and multivariable logistic regression with adjusted ORs and 95% confidence<br />intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 75 cases and 149 controls were included in the study. PCA identified six dietary<br />groups, labeled as cereals and grains, vegetables, proteins, dairy products, fruits, and sugars. Bivariate analysis showed<br />that consumption of vegetables, fruits, sugars, and total energy intake were associated with change in PC risk. In<br />multivariable-adjusted models comparing highest versus lowest levels of intake, we observed significant lower odds<br />of PC in association with vegetable intake (OR 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07-0.85, P=0.012) and a higher likelihood with the<br />total energy intake (OR 9.88; 95% CI, 2.56-38.09, P<0.0001). There was also a suggested link between high fruit<br />consumption and reduced odds of PC. Conclusions: The study supports the association between dietary factors and the<br />odds of PC development in Egypt. It was found that higher energy intake is associated with an increase in likelihood<br />of PC, while increased vegetable consumption is associated with a lower odds ratio.