Risk factors for cancer of the esophagus: a case control study in a metropolitan area of South-Eastern Brazil

Abstract

The association between esophageal cancer and smoking and drinking habits, instruction and nutritional factors was examined by means of the utilization of data of a case-control study wich was undertaken in the city of S. Paulo (Brazil). Eighty five cases were compared with two hundred and ninety two hospital controls, with different diseases, including other kinds of cancer. The crude estimations of the odds ratios were calculated for all the variables. Logistic regression was used in the next steps of the analysis. The drinking habit [odds ratio = 3.68; 95% confidence interval (1.74 - 7.78)], the smoking habit [odds ratio = 4.86; 95% confidence interval (1.95 - 12.13)] and the frequent eating of hot pepper [odds ratio = 2.48; 95% confidence interval (1.46 - 4.23)] are important risk factors for the disease. The estimate of odds ratio for smoking ordinary cigarette was of 3.43 (1.31 - 8.97) and for smoking of com straw hand-rolled cigarette was of 4.18 (1.38- 12.66).