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Cancers of the esophagus and carbonated beverage consumption: a population-based case–control study

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Abstract

Objective

Increased consumption of carbonated soft drinks has been hypothesized to be a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC); however, previous studies have not found supportive evidence. We analyzed data from a population-based case–control study to measure the association between carbonated beverage intake and risk of adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus.

Methods

A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to collect data on carbonated soft drink and beer consumption; a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle-related factors from 1,484 control subjects, 294 cases with EAC, 325 cases with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (EGJAC), and 238 cases with SCC of the esophagus. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using unconditional multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for confounders.

Results

High intake of soft drinks was not associated with risk of EAC (fully adjusted OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.53–1.66, p for trend = 0.85) or EGJAC (fully adjusted OR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.67–1.73, p for trend = 0.89) but was inversely associated with SCC of the esophagus (fully adjusted model OR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.20–0.78, p for trend = 0.04). High intake of beer was inversely associated with risk of EGJAC (fully adjusted OR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.35–0.81) but positively associated with esophageal SCC (fully adjusted model OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.17–2.95).

Conclusion

High levels of consumption of carbonated soft drinks do not appear to increase the risk of either adenocarcinomas or SCC of the esophagus.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Nirmala Pandeya and Shahram Sadeghi for their assistance with programming and Harish Babu for his assistance with pathology abstractions. This study was supported by the Cancer Council Queensland and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia (Program no. 199600). David Whiteman and Penelope Webb are supported by Senior Research Fellowships from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and Cancer Council Queensland, respectively. The funding bodies played no role in the design or conduct of the study; the collection, management, analysis, or interpretation of the data; or preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript. None of the authors had a personal or financial conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer and Population Studies Group, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Post Office Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia

    Torukiri I. Ibiebele, Maria Celia Hughes, Peter O’Rourke, Penelope M. Webb & David C. Whiteman

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  1. Torukiri I. Ibiebele
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  2. Maria Celia Hughes
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  3. Peter O’Rourke
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  4. Penelope M. Webb
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  5. David C. Whiteman
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for the Australian Cancer Study

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Torukiri I. Ibiebele.

Additional information

The Australian Cancer Study: Oesophageal Cancer

Investigators: David C. Whiteman MBBS, PhD; Penelope M. Webb MA, D Phil; Adele C. Green MBBS, PhD; Nicholas K. Hayward PhD; Peter G. Parsons PhD; David M. Purdie PhD.

Clinicalcollaborators: B. Mark Smithers FRACS, David Gotley FRACS PhD, Andrew Clouston FRACP PhD, Ian Brown FRACP.

ProjectManager: Suzanne Moore RN, MPH.

Database: Karen Harrap BIT, Troy Sadkowsky BIT.

ResearchNurses: Suzanne O’Brien RN MPH, Ellen Minehan RN, Deborah Roffe RN, Sue O’Keefe RN, Suzanne Lipshut RN, Gabby Connor RN, Hayley Berry RN, Frances Walker RN, Teresa Barnes RN, Janine Thomas RN, Linda Terry RN MPH, Michael Connard BSc, Leanne Bowes BSc, MaryRose Malt RN, Jo White RN.

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Ibiebele, T.I., Hughes, M.C., O’Rourke, P. et al. Cancers of the esophagus and carbonated beverage consumption: a population-based case–control study. Cancer Causes Control 19, 577–584 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-008-9119-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-008-9119-8

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