Association between Alcohol Consumption and Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer. as conflictingstudies have recently been published, we aimed to evaluate the magnitude of the epidemiological evidencefor an association between alcohol consumption and gastric cancer.methods: this study is a meta-analysis of case-control studies which have been performed during1989 to 2007. we systematically reviewed the literature on the association between alcohol consumptionand gastric cancer. published case-control studies were identified in pub med and reference lists.random effects meta-analysis was used to pool effects from twenty studies.results: the odds ratio (or) for the overall association between alcohol and gastric cancer was 1.77(95%ci: 1.46-2.15). the pooled or for alcohol consumption related to gastric cancer for men was2.17 (95%ci: 1.67-2.83). the odds ratio of beer or liquor was 1.16 which is not statistically related togastric cancer risk (p> 0.05). whereas, the odds ratio of vodka, wine and other types of alcohol intakerelated to gastric cancer were respectively 3.26, 1.69, and 1.77 (p< 0.01).conclusion: overall, based on the results of pooled analysis, it is reassuring that this meta-analysisshows a direct effect of alcohol associated with gastric cancer. knowledge on the level of exposure todifferent alcohol constituents provides a deeper understanding of the real role of alcohol on cancer riskand ultimately allows the design of safer beverages.