Mediterranean diet and hepatocellular carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Hepatology and Gastroenterology
• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) carries a poor prognosis, necessitating identification of additional risk factors.
• The influence of diet on HCC risk remains a subject of ongoing research and debate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the risk of developing HCC.
• To explore potential interactions between the Mediterranean diet and chronic hepatitis virus infections concerning HCC risk.

Main Methods:

• A combined analysis of two case-control studies from Italy and Greece, involving 518 HCC cases and 772 controls.
• Assessment of Mediterranean diet adherence using the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), ranging from 0 (lowest) to 9 (highest).
• Multiple logistic regression models were employed to calculate odds ratios (OR) for HCC, controlling for confounders like hepatitis B/C virus infections.

Main Results:

• Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MDS ≥ 5) was associated with a reduced risk of HCC (OR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.34-0.75) compared to lower adherence (MDS 0-3).
• A significant trend (p<0.001) indicated a protective effect of the Mediterranean diet against HCC.
• The negative impact of poor dietary adherence on HCC risk was more pronounced in individuals with chronic hepatitis B/C infections, suggesting a potential interaction.

Conclusions:

• Increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet demonstrates a protective effect against hepatocellular carcinoma.
• The Mediterranean dietary pattern may confer additional benefits for individuals with chronic hepatitis virus infections, potentially lowering their HCC risk.