8th European Public Health Conference: Poster Displays
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Folate deficiency is associated with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: perspective for prevention Martina Barchitta M Barchitta1, A Quattrocchi1, A Maugeri1, N La Rosa2, A Scalisi2, A Agodi1 1 Department ‘‘GF Ingrassia’’, University of Catania, Italy 2 UO di Screening Ginecologico, ASP Catania, Italy Contact:
[email protected]
Background A healthy diet, providing high folate levels, may reduce the risk of HPV infection and Cervical cancer (CC). The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of diet and of folate intake on HPV infection and Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN). Methods A total of 650 women were enrolled in a cross-sectional study and classified by histological diagnosis as cases (CIN1+) and
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European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 25, Supplement 3, 2015
controls and by HPV status. Adherence to Mediterranean Diet (MD), assessed by the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), and folate intake were calculated using a food frequency questionnaire. Folate deficiency was estimated taking into account supplements consumption. Results The mean MDS value was 4.2 (median 4; range 0–9): 6% of women were with high adherence to MD and the prevalence of inadequate folate intake was 65.4%. MD adherence were not different among cases and controls. Overall, the younger and the smokers showed an increased risk of HPV infection (OR:3.1, 95%CI: 2.1–4.6; OR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.4–3.1, respectively) and of CIN (OR:2.3, 95%CI:1.5–3.4; OR:1.5, 95%CI: 1.0–2.2, respectively). Moreover, women with folate deficiency showed an increased risk of HPV infection (OR:1.5, 95%CI: 1.0–2.2). Regression analysis, adjusting for the main confounders, confirmed that the younger and the smokers showed an increased risk of HPV infection (OR:2.9, 95%CI:2.0–4.3; OR:1.8, 95%CI:1.2–2.8, respectively). Among the 233 HRHPV positive women, in the younger and in the smokers, women with folate deficiency had an increased risk of CIN (OR:3.4, 95%CI:1.1–10.6; OR:3.5, 95%CI:1.2–10.1, respectively). Notably, regression analysis confirmed that folate deficiency was associated with an increased risk of CIN (OR:2.3, 95%CI: 1.1–5.0). Conclusions Findings of this study highlight that folate intake could prevent HPV infections and CIN, especially in younger and in smokers. This work was conducted with the research support of Bench Srl, University of Catania. Key messages Folate deficiency was associated with an increased risk of CIN Adequate folate intake is an important approach for cervical cancer prevention
