Case-control analysis of dietary factors and colorectal cancer risk in the Souss Massa Moroccan population
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Colorectal cancer is a disease with significant morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. This study aims to identify the main dietary risk factors associated with this disease in the Souss-Massa region. A case-control study was conducted in medical pathology laboratories. It included 155 cases and 155 controls. Data were collected using a data collection form and a questionnaire developed on Epi-Info v7.2.5.0 software, then entered, processed and analyzed using Jamovi 2.6.26 software. Univariable statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests of association, while conditional logistic regression was used to assess the overall results. The patients had a sex ratio (M/F) of 1.25, and the average age was 58.51 ± 12.8 years. A significant proportion of patients presented with rectal discharge (55.5%) and rectal syndromes (23.9%). The cancer was located in the colon in 63.9% of patients, and in the rectum in 32.9%. The results showed a significant increase in the risk of colorectal cancer associated with higher consumption (4 to 7 times a week) of red meat (aOR:1.66;95%CI:1.23–2.25), processed modern meats (aOR:3.19;95%CI: 2.06–4.92) and sweetened beverages (aOR:1.55; 95%CI:1.08–2.24). There was a significant protective association against the disease for vegetable consumption (aOR:0.32;95%CI:0.20–0.51) and for consumption of total dairy products more than three times a week (aOR:0.62;95%CI:0.39–0.97). High consumption of processed red meats, red meats and sugar-sweetened beverages was an important risk factor for colorectal cancer. Coordinated stakeholder action is required to translate enhanced nutritional knowledge into improved dietary habits and better patient quality of life.
Source: Discover Public Health
Institution: Université Ibn Zohr
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416415549