No associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and pancreatic cancer risk: a meta-analysis of prospective studies

Abstract

The associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and pancreatic cancer risk are inconclusive. We conducted a meta-analysis of prospective studies to investigate the associations. The search was conducted systemically using the PubMed and EMBASE databases up to March 2017. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for the highest versus lowest consumption and dose-response analyses were assessed. Subtype and subgroup analyses were performed. Twelve studies were eligible. The summary relative risks of the highest versus lowest consumption were 0.95 (0.80–1.12) for total fruits and vegetables without heterogeneity (I² = 0%, P = 0.44), 0.96 (0.82–1.12) for fruits without low heterogeneity (I² = 37%, P = 0.12) and 0.94 (0.84–1.06) for vegetables with low heterogeneity (I² = 9%, P = 0.36). Dose-response analyses also showed no significantly inverse associations for each 100 g/day increase; the summary relative risks were 1.00 (0.98–1.02) for total fruits and vegetables, 1.01 (0.97–1.05) for fruits and 1.00 (0.97–1.03) for vegetables. The results of subtype analyses were consistent with the fruit and vegetable analyses; the relative risks were 0.97 (0.80–1.17) for citrus fruit without low heterogeneity (I² = 39%, P = 0.15) and 0.89 (0.76–1.05) for cruciferous vegetables without low heterogeneity (I² = 14%, P = 0.32). In conclusion, this meta-analysis does not support significant associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and pancreatic cancer risk.