Egg consumption and risk of GI neoplasms: dose–response meta-analysis and systematic review

Previous epidemiological studies on egg consumption and the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasms suggest a positive association; however, data are limited and the evidence remains controversial. This study aims to investigate and quantify the potential dose–response relationship with an evaluation of cancer site-specific differences.

Relevant studies were identified after the literature search via electronic databases until January 2014. Subgroup analysis for serving portions was performed using two standardized classification methods: (1) less than 3, or 3 or more eggs per week; (2) less than 3, 3–5, or more than 5 eggs per week. Method two excludes studies that only reported consumption frequency. Pooled adjusted odds ratios (ORs) comparing highest and lowest categories of dietary pattern scores were calculated using a random-effects model.

Thirty-seven case–control and seven cohort studies were included for meta-analysis, which contained a total of 424,867 participants and 18,852 GI neoplasm cases. The combined odds ratio (OR) was calculated to 1.15 (95 % CI 1.09–1.22; p value heterogeneity <0.001), showing only a slight increase in risk. The correlation was stronger for colon cancers 1.29 (95 % CI 1.14–1.46; p value heterogeneity <0.22). Dose–response analysis revealed similar results with stratification methods, and the ORs for an intake of <3 and ≥3 eggs per week were 1.14 (95 % CI 1.07–1.22; p value heterogeneity = 0.38) and 1.25 (95 % CI 1.14–1.38; p value heterogeneity = 0.25), respectively. With method 2, the ORs for an intake of <3, 3–5, and >5 eggs per week were 1.13 (95 % CI 1.06–1.21; p value heterogeneity = 0.25), 1.14 (95 % CI 1.01–1.29; p value heterogeneity = 0.06), and 1.19 (95 % CI 1.01–1.39; p value heterogeneity <0.001), respectively.

This study provides evidence that egg consumption is associated with a positive dose–response association with the development of GI neoplasms.