Copenhagen Centre for Prospective Population Studies, Danish Epidemiology Science Centre at the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Kommunehospitalet, 1399 Copenhagen K, Denmark. mg@ipm.hosp.dk
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between different types of alcoholic drinks and upper digestive tract cancers (oropharyngeal and oesophageal). DESIGN: Population based study with baseline assessment of intake of beer, wine, and spirits, smoking habits, educational level, and 2-19 years' follow up on risk of upper digestive tract cancer. SETTING: Denmark. SUBJECTS: 15 117 men and 13 063 women aged 20 to 98 years. Main outcome measure: Number and time of identification of incident upper digestive tract cancer during follow up. RESULTS: During a mean follow up of 13.5 years, 156 subjects developed upper digestive tract cancer. Compared with non-drinkers (drinkers of =30% of their intake had a risk of 0.5 (0.2 to 1.4). Drinkers of >21 beers and spirits but no wine had a relative risk of 5.2 (2.7 to 10.2) compared with non-drinkers, whereas those who drank the same amount, but included wine in their alcohol intake, had a relative risk of 1.7 (0.6 to 4. 4). CONCLUSION: A moderate intake of wine probably does not increase the risk of upper digestive tract cancer, whereas a moderate intake of beer or spirits increases the risk considerably.
Notes
Comment In: BMJ. 1998 Sep 26;317(7162):8279748168
Comment In: BMJ. 1999 May 8;318(7193):1289-90; author reply 129110231282
Comment In: BMJ. 1999 May 8;318(7193):1290; author reply 129110391706
Comment In: BMJ. 1999 May 8;318(7193):1290; author reply 219110391707
Comment In: BMJ. 1999 May 8;318(7193):129110391708