A literature search was carried out in PubMed and ISI Web of Science to identify all relevant epidemiological studies published before June 30, 2013. And the categorical and dose-response meta-analyses were used to evaluate the association between alcohol drinking and UADT cancer mortality.
Ten studies involving 2976 UADT cancer deaths were included. Compared with non/occasional drinkers, the pooled relative risks (RRs) of UADT cancer mortality were 2.01 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.56-2.59] for any, 1.26 (95% CI = 0.94-1.67) for light (猢?2.5 g/day), 1.79 (95% CI = 1.26-2.53) for moderate (12.6-49.9 g/day), and 3.63 (95% CI = 2.63-5.00) for heavy (猢?0 g/day) drinkers, respectively. Dose-response analysis showed that the increment in daily alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of UADT cancer mortality continuously.
This study provides evidence of a positive association between alcohol drinking and UADT cancer mortality, especially when alcohol consumption reaching moderate-to-heavy level. Thus, public health recommendation on UADT cancer prevention and control should consider limiting the intake of alcoholic beverages.