Alcohol drinking and upper aerodigestive tract cancer mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer is among the most frequent cancer and the most common death causes of cancer in the world. Epidemiological studies have reported an inconsistent relationship between alcohol drinking and UADT cancer mortality. However, no systematic review or meta-analysis has been reported up to now. To quantify the association between alcohol drinking and UADT cancer mortality, we performed this meta-analysis.

A literature search was carried out in PubMed and ISI Web of Science to identify all relevant epidemiological studies published before June 30, 2013. And the categorical and dose-response meta-analyses were used to evaluate the association between alcohol drinking and UADT cancer mortality.

Ten studies involving 2976 UADT cancer deaths were included. Compared with non/occasional drinkers, the pooled relative risks (RRs) of UADT cancer mortality were 2.01 [95% confidence interval (CI)=1.56-2.59] for any, 1.26 (95% CI=0.94-1.67) for light (⩽ 12.5 g/day), 1.79 (95% CI=1.26-2.53) for moderate (12.6-49.9 g/day), and 3.63 (95% CI=2.63-5.00) for heavy (⩾ 50 g/day) drinkers, respectively. Dose-response analysis showed that the increment in daily alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of UADT cancer mortality continuously.

This study provides evidence of a positive association between alcohol drinking and UADT cancer mortality, especially when alcohol consumption reaching moderate-to-heavy level. Thus, public health recommendation on UADT cancer prevention and control should consider limiting the intake of alcoholic beverages.