Brote de norovirus en Mallorca asociado al consumo de ostras

We describe investigation into an outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis associated with oyster consumption. A survey was conducted in 346 exposed persons, 266 of whom were cases. Only 14 feces samples from patients were sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory. Oysters collected at the production site were sent to the National Food Center. The oysters met the microbiological quality standard required before sale, which did not include virus investigation. Epidemiological analysis showed an association between gastroenteritis and consumption of oysters (OR = 60.4; 95% CI: 26.2-139.3) and razor shells (OR = 3.13; 95% CI: 1.4-6.9). Microbiological analysis confirmed norovirus in affected individuals but not in the oysters that had been tested after a longer purification period than those consumed. Food with a special risk of norovirus transmission should be strictly monitored. Investigators should dispose of the necessary laboratory resources to study food-borne norovirus outbreaks.     

A norovirus outbreak associated with consumption of NSW oysters: implications for quality assurance systems

Norovirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks associated with raw shellfish consumption. In Australia there have been several reports of norovirus outbreaks associated with oysters despite the application of regulatory measures recommended by Food Standards Australia New Zealand. This study describes an outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis following the consumption of New South Wales oysters. In September 2007, OzFoodNet conducted a cohort study of a gastroenteritis outbreak amongst people that had dined at a Port Macquarie restaurant. Illness was strongly associated with oyster consumption, with all cases having eaten oysters from the same lease (RR undefined, p < 0.0001). Norovirus was detected in a faecal specimen. Although no pathogen was identified during the environmental investigation, the source oyster lease had been closed just prior to harvesting due to sewage contamination. Australian quality assurance programs do not routinely test oysters for viral contamination that pose a risk to human health. It is recommended that the feasibility of testing oysters for norovirus, particularly after known faecal contamination of oyster leases, be assessed.     

一起诺如病毒感染致胃肠炎暴发的危险因素分析

目的调查一起胃肠炎暴发疫情病原和传播危险因素,为有效控制疫情提供依据,同时为减少该类事件的发生提供经验。方法制定统一病例定义,开展主动病例搜索,利用病例对照研究寻找可疑餐次和可疑食品。采集病例粪便、肛拭子、呕吐物、环境样本等进行荧光定量PCR核酸检测和细菌分离培养。结果该公司共发现病例18例,流行曲线提示为点源暴露。病例对照研究结果显示3月30日午餐是危险餐次(OR=6.13,OR 95%CI=1.248~30.44),其中香辣花蛤是危险食物(OR=30,OR 95%CI=5.67~158.80)。采样的16名病例中10人样品诺如病毒核酸阳性,阳性病例的4人为肛拭子、4人为粪便、2人为呕吐物。现场卫生学调查发现,在食品加工过程中,存在生熟食物交叉污染或花蛤未煮熟煮透引起可能。结论该起疫情为诺如病毒感染引起的胃肠炎聚集性病例疫情,可能的感染来源是食用了受诺如病毒污染的花蛤,制作过程中生熟食物交叉污染或未煮熟煮透是可能的危险因素。     

Maternal knowledge,attitudes and beliefs regarding gastroenteritis and rotavirus vaccine before implementing vaccination program: Which key messages in light of a new immunization program?

In July 2010, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommended the systematic administration of rotavirus vaccines for all infants in Canada. According to the Erickson and De Wals framework, multiple factors need to be evaluated before implementing such a decision, including the study of the acceptability of this vaccine by the general population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February 10 to February 18, 2011, at the Sherbrooke University Hospital Center in the province of Quebec. A questionnaire, based upon the Health Belief Model (HBM) and theoretical planned action, was self-administered to pregnant or early post-partum women. The variables collected included socio-demographic data, past experience with gastroenteritis, cues to vaccination and HBM dimensions. The associations between questionnaire variables and vaccination intention were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Of the 343 respondents, only 29% had already heard about rotavirus vaccination and among these, the intention of vaccination was 74%. In multivariate analysis, having a perception of infant vulnerability to gastroenteritis (OR=2.3, 95% CI 1.3-4.0) and having no other child at home (OR=2.3, 95% CI 1.3-4.2) were factors positively associated with a higher intention of vaccination, contrary to having already heard about the rotavirus vaccine in the media (OR=0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.9). The three cues independently associated with intention of vaccination were the reimbursement of the vaccine (OR=3.0, 95% CI 1.6-5.7), its recommendation by a doctor (OR=21.2, 95% CI 5.8-75.9) and its protection against the most severe forms of gastroenteritis (OR=4.4, 95% CI 1.4-13.6). To improve the success of this new vaccination program, several key messages should be integrated in the information made available to the general population: (1) rotavirus gastroenteritis is a mandatory infection for every child <5 years; (2) the vaccine is reimbursed and included in the provincial vaccination program; and (3) the vaccine protects against the worst forms of gastroenteritis. Finally, support should be offered to physicians as they play a key role in public acceptance of new vaccines.     

Nosocomial outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis and investigation of ABO histo-blood group type in infected staff and patients

The blood groups were analysed of staff and patients (N=45) infected during two nosocomial outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis at a German University hospital. Persons with O phenotype were significantly less affected than was expected from the normal distribution of blood group types in Southwest Germany (OR 2.45; 95% CI 1.22-4.95; P=0.01).     

河南省郑州市居民痛风相关危险因素的病例对照研究

摘要:目的　了解河南省郑州市居民痛风相关危险因素,为痛风预防控制措施的制定提供科学依据。方法　采用非配对病例对照研究的方法,于2013年 1月-2014年1月在郑州市随机选取5家医院内分泌及风湿科门诊确诊的87例痛风患者作为病例,同时,选取年龄相近、同民族、同一时间在相应医院就诊的87例胃肠炎患者作为对照,进行社会人口学及饮食生活习惯的问卷调查,相关生化指标和基因多态性测定,并进行多重Logistic 回归分析。结果　与对照组相比较,病例组体质指数、血胆固醇、甘油三酯含量,血尿酸含量,空腹血糖浓度及血压均明显增高（P＜0.05）,多元Logistic 回归结果表明,有高尿酸血症/痛风家族史,喝啤酒量较大,经常食用动物内脏、浓肉汤、豆制品者,尿酸盐转运子1（URAT1）rs3825018（G/T）G等位基因、脂肪量与肥胖相关基因（FTO）rs17817449（G/T）G等位基因是痛风发生的危险因素,Toll样受体4（TLR4）rs2149356（G/T）G等位基因是痛风发生的保护因素。结论　郑州市居民痛风发生的危险因素涉及饮食习惯、血脂、血糖、血压指标以及遗传基因多态性等多个方面,在痛风的预防及治疗中应采取综合防控措施。     

Foodborne gastroenteritis outbreak in an Austrian healthcare facility caused by asymptomatic, norovirus-excreting kitchen staff

An outbreak of norovirus GGII.4 2006b affected an Austrian 600-bed healthcare facility from 15 to 27 March 2009. A total of 204 patients, residents and staff fitted the outbreak case definition; 17 (8.3%) were laboratory-confirmed. Foodborne origin was suspected in the 114 patient and resident cases with onset 15-18 March. A case-cohort study was performed to test the hypothesis that consumption of dishes offered on 14, 15 and 16 March (risk days) was associated with increased risk of infection. Data on food exposure of 62% (317/510) of the patient and resident cohort were available for a simultaneous retrospective cohort study. The case-cohort analysis revealed that consumption of sliced cold sausage offered on 15 March [odds ratio (OR): 3.98; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18-14.1], a meat dish with salad (adjusted OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.19-4.08) and a rolled spinach pancake (adjusted OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.27-3.71) on 16 March were independent risk factors. It is likely that one of the five asymptomatic excretors among the kitchen staff on duty on the risk days was the source of food contamination. The case-cohort study design was found to be a valid alternative to the retrospective cohort study design for the investigation of a suspected foodborne outbreak in a large cohort.     

Food insecurity,food choices,and body mass index in adults: nutrition transition in Trinidad and Tobago

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated whether food insecurity and obesity were associated in a population sample in Trinidad. METHODS: A sample was drawn of 15 clusters of households, in north central Trinidad. Resident adults were enumerated. A questionnaire was administered including the short form Household Food Security Scale (HFSS). Heights and weights were measured. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and ethnic group. RESULTS: Data were analysed for 531/631 (84%) of eligible respondents including 241 men and 290 women with a mean age of 47 (range 24-89) years. Overall, 134 (25%) of subjects were classified as food insecure. Food insecurity was associated with lower household incomes and physical disability. Food insecure subjects were less likely to eat fruit (food insecure 40%, food secure 55%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.36-0.99, P = 0.045) or green vegetables or salads (food insecure 28%, food secure 51%; adjusted OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.27-0.79, P = 0.005) on >/=5-6 days per week. Body mass index (BMI) was available for 467 (74%) subjects of whom 41 (9%) had BMI <20 kg/m(2), 157 (34%) had BMI 25-29 kg/m(2), and 120 (26%) had BMI >/=30 kg/m(2). Underweight (OR = 3.21, 95% CI: 1.17-8.81) was associated with food insecurity, but obesity was not (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.55-2.12). CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity was frequent at all levels of BMI and was associated with lower consumption of fruit and vegetables. Food insecurity was associated with underweight but not with present obesity.     

江苏省医学生酒精滥用相关因素研究

目的 探讨江苏省医学生酒精滥用的危险因素,为制订减少有害使用酒精策略提供参考依据.方法 以江苏省医学生酒精滥用现况调查中319例酒精滥用者作为病例组,按照1:2匹配同性别、专业、年级的对照组638人.采用SPSS 22.0软件进行单因素和多因素条件Logistic回归分析模型分析.结果 江苏省医学生饮酒率为44.59％...     

南宁市某公司因蓄水池被诺如病毒污染引起急性胃肠炎暴发调查

目的 对H公司1起诺如病毒感染引起的急性胃肠炎暴发开展调查,分析感染原因和传播途径。方法 根据病例定义开展病例搜索,对供水系统进行卫生学调查,对危险因素进行病例对照研究,采集病例肛拭子、自来水、桶装水进行诺如病毒核酸检测。结果 疫情历时4d,共搜索到病例184例,罹患率10.09%（184/1823）;临床症状主要为腹泻（100%）、腹痛（65.76%）、恶心（50.07%）、呕吐（50.35%）、发热（40.21%）;市政供水进入蓄水池A、B前余氯为0.17mg/L,浊度正常;蓄水池A供应的综合楼6楼和18楼末梢水浊度分别为11.7NTU和11.5NTU,有臭味,余氯均为0mg/L;4份现症病例肛拭子和5份蓄水池A样品均检出GⅡ型诺如病毒,而桶装水和蓄水池B均未检出。食用蓄水池A水洗过的水果和用蓄水池A水洗杯子后装桶装水喝是急性胃肠炎发病的危险因素（OR=6.295,95%CI:4.018~9.862;OR=2.665,95%CI:1.424~4.987）。结论 本次急性胃肠炎暴发是由于污水管道堵塞导致生活饮用水受诺如病毒污染引起的,应加强饮用水卫生管理。     

北京市某区居民膳食模式及其影响因素研究

目的 利用膳食模式进行饮食行为分析并探讨其影响因素。方法 采用多阶段分层抽样方法,对某区18~79岁的居民进行调查。采用食物频数调查表了解居民膳食情况,利用因子分析法建立膳食模式,无序多分类Logistic回归法分析膳食模式的影响因素。结果 被调查居民3 624人中有5种主要膳食模式,分别命名为肉类模式、果汁饮料模式、主食酒水模式、传统模式和蛋奶模式。单因素分析结果发现文化程度、职业类型、性别、年龄与膳食模式得分关联均有统计学意义（均有P<0.05）。多分类Logistic分析结果显示:肉类模式得分与文化程度呈正相关（P=0.003,OR=1.841,95%CI:1.234~2.748）,与女性呈负相关（P<0.001,OR=0.428,95%CI:0.315~0.582）;果汁饮料模式得分与年龄（P<0.001,OR=0.946,95%CI:0.932~0.961）、女性（P=0.020,OR=0.694,95%CI:0.510~0.943）、患有糖尿病（P=0.013,OR=0.456,95%CI:0.246~0.846）呈负相关;主食酒水模式与女性负相关（P<0.001,OR=0.083,95%CI:0.058~0.118）,与从事体力活动性工作正相关（P=0.027,OR=1.529,95%CI:1.050~2.228）;传统模式与家人共同生活（P=0.005,OR=1.636,95%CI:1.160~2.305）正相关,与学生负相关（P=0.027,OR=0.091,95%CI:0.011~0.765）;蛋奶模式与年龄（P<0.001,OR=1.036,95%CI:1.021~1.051）、女性（P<0.001,OR=1.922,95%CI:1.414~2.612）、文化程度（P<0.001,OR=2.598,95%CI:1.759~3.837）呈正相关。结论 居民的饮食行为会受到年龄、性别、文化程度、职业等因素的影响,应根据不同人群的膳食模式特点,为其提供针对性的健康教育与行为干预。     

2018年中国因跌倒/坠落就诊患者损伤严重程度及影响因素

  目的  了解中国因跌倒/坠落就诊病例流行特征和影响损伤严重程度的因素,为制定跌倒/坠落防控措施、政策提供依据。  方法  通过提取2018年中国伤害监测系统（national injury surveillance system,NISS）中跌倒/坠落病例数据,描述其流行特征,采用多因素Logistic回归分析模型分析损伤严重程度影响因素。  结果  共收集跌倒/坠落病例500 621例。损伤严重程度以轻度为主（76.00%）,中、重度损伤所占比例为24.00%。单因素分析显示,性别、年龄、城乡、发生季节、发生时段、发生地点、发生时活动、发生前饮酒情况的跌倒/坠落病例损伤严重程度差异具有统计学意义（均有P＜0.001）。多因素分析显示,男性（OR=1.056,95% CI:1.041~1.071）;年龄为5~岁（OR=1.412,95% CI:1.366~1.460）、15~岁（OR=1.382,95% CI:1.337~1.427）、30~岁（OR=1.844,95% CI:1.787~1.903）、45~岁（OR=2.746,95% CI:2.666~2.829）、≥65岁（OR=4.524,95% CI:4.390~4.663）;夏季（OR=1.097,95% CI:1.077~1.118）、秋季（OR=1.110,95% CI:1.089~1.131）、冬季（OR=1.137,95% CI:1.116~1.159）;地点为家中（OR=1.169,95% CI:1.143~1.196）、学校与公共场所（OR=1.102,95% CI:1.069~1.136）、体育和运动场所（OR=1.066,95% CI:1.016~1.119）、工业和建筑场所（OR=1.800,95% CI:1.727~1.877）、农场/农田（OR=1.257,95% CI:1.196~1.320）;活动为步行（OR=1.084,95% CI:1.045~1.126）;发生前饮酒（OR=1.318,95% CI:1.257~1.381）是中重度损伤的危险因素。  结论  中国因跌倒/坠落就诊患者中重度损伤占一定比例,且影响因素较多,相关部门应开展针对性的防控工作。     

中山市高尿酸血症的流行概况及其危险因素分析

目的 分析中山市高尿酸血症的流行情况以及其危险因素,并进一步探讨预测高尿酸血症发生的可能的指标因素。方法 于2016年在广东省中山市应用多阶段随机抽样的方法进行现况调查,实际抽取7 174名居民进行问卷调查、体格检查及实验室检测,并采用多因素logistic回归分析各影响因素。结果 中山市总体高尿酸血症患病率为31.91%。多因素logistic回归分析表明,男性(OR = 1.783, 95%CI :1.544～2.059)、偶尔饮酒(OR = 1.198, 95%CI :1.030～1.394)、经常饮酒(OR = 1.388, 95%CI:1.186～1.623)、患高胆固醇血症(OR = 1.267, 95%CI :1.054～1.521)、超重/肥胖(OR = 1.901, 95%CI :1.657～2.181)、患中心性肥胖(OR = 1.311, 95%CI :1.139～1.509)、血压高(OR = 1.321, 95%CI :1.170～1.491)、空腹TG含量≥1.7 mmol/L(OR = 2.016, 95%CI:1.772～2.295)、空腹HDL - C含量＜1.0mmol/L(OR = 1.439, 95%CI: 1.088 ～1.903)等是中山市常住居民患高尿酸血症的独立危险因素。结论 中山市成年居民高尿酸血症患病率已经达到较高水平,应对其危险因素进行干预,减少中山市高尿酸血症发生的风险。     

Poor health is associated with episodic heavy alcohol use: evidence from a National Survey

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between self-rated health and episodic heavy drinking in a representative sample of American adults. We also sought to determine ethnic and gender differences in the association between self-rated health and episodic heavy drinking. METHODS: Data (n=4649) from the Third US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were utilized for this investigation. Episodic heavy drinking was defined as the consumption of five or more and four or more alcoholic beverages on one occasion for men and women, respectively. Poor health was defined as answering fair or poor to the question: "Would you say your health in general is excellent, very good, good, fair or poor?" Odds ratio from the logistic linear regression analysis was used to estimate the risk for poor health that was associated with episodic heavy drinking. Statistical adjustments were made for age, hypertension, diabetes, current smoking, body mass index and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Overall, episodic heavy drinking was associated with increased odds of poor self-rated health in men and women. In men, episodic heavy drinking was independently associated with 1.28 (95% CI: 1.07-1.82) increased odds of poor health. The corresponding value in women was 1.86 (95% CI: 1.05-2.28). In men, being Black was associated with approximately two-fold (OR=1.96; 95% CI: 1.33, 2.89), and being Hispanic was associated with approximately four-fold (OR=3.59; 95% CI: 2.50, 5.14) increased odds of poor self-rated health relative to being White. The corresponding odds ratios in women were 2.97 (95% CI: 1.90, 4.64) and 5.18 (95% CI: 3.23, 8.30). Associations were greater among blacks (adjusted OR=2.41; 95% CI: 1.81-3.22) and Hispanics (adjusted OR=4.15; 95% CI: 3.12-5.52) than among whites. CONCLUSIONS: Poor health is associated with episodic heavy alcohol consumption. Public health strategies to curb alcohol abuse may improve self-reported health status in these at-risk populations.     

一起医院内集聚性诺如病毒胃肠炎的调查

目的 调查分析一起在上海市徐汇区某社区卫生服务中心内科病房内发生的集聚性诺如病毒GⅡ型胃肠炎疫情的特征及其原因.方法 采用统一的集体性腹泻个案调查表进行现场流行病学调查,使用病例对照研究方法分析相关危险因素,采用RT-PCR方法检测病毒核酸.结果 该起疫情共报告病例22例,发病率为31.0％,以呕吐腹泻为主要临床表现,疫情流行持续8d,引入率为30.3％;时间分布呈单峰,空间分布有集聚性;通过实验室检测确定有两名护工隐性感染,在11份粪便、肛拭标本中检出9份诺如病毒GⅡ型核酸阳性,6份环节标本呈核酸阴性;由隐性感染护工护理的患者发病率高于非感染护工护理的患者(x2 =4.98,P=0.026),OR值为11.2(95％ CI=1.80～116.80);空间分布的集聚性与隐性感染护工护理的床位高发病率有较好的一致性.结论 该次疫情是一起发生在医疗机构内由诺如病毒GⅡ型引起的集聚性胃肠炎疫情,隐性感染的护工是传染源之一,接触传播是重要的传播途径;该次疫情在对手卫生、标准防护执行力进行干预及落实各项消毒隔离措施后得到有效控制.     

Health behaviour among non-Western immigrants with Danish citizenship

AIMS: To compare belief in own effort to stay healthy, health behaviour and body mass index (BMI) among non-Western immigrants with Danish citizenship and citizens with Danish background. METHODS: Based on the National Health Interview Survey 2005, logistic regression analyses were used to examine differences in belief in own effort to stay healthy, in health behaviour and in BMI between 136 non-Western immigrants with Danish citizenship and 9,901 citizens with Danish background in the age group 25-64 years. RESULTS: Non-Western immigrants had lower odds for reporting that own effort is very important to maintain good health (odds ratio (OR) 0.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.32-0.62) and for reporting consuming more alcohol on a weekly basis than recommended by the Danish National Board of Health (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.09-0.51). The odds were higher for non-Western immigrants for than citizens with Danish background for reporting sedentary spare-time activities (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.96-4.17), daily consumption of boiled vegetables (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.77-3.53), and daily consumption of salad/raw vegetables (OR 2.84, 95% CI 2.02-3.99). We found no differences in daily smoking, daily fruit consumption, BMI> or =25 or BMI> or =30. CONCLUSIONS: The non-Western immigrants are healthier in terms of alcohol and vegetable consumption and unhealthier with regard to leisure-time physical activity. The non-Western immigrants are less likely to report that their own effort is important in maintaining good health.     

广东养殖牡蛎的诺如病毒污染状况调查

目的了解广东省养殖牡蛎的诺如病毒污染状况,为防治诺如病毒引起的胃肠炎提供预警信息。方法采用横断面研究,在广东省牡蛎主产区采取分层随机抽样同时在采样时运用扇形布点法采集牡蛎,对牡蛎进行诺如病毒检测。结果共采集三个品种的牡蛎390份,平均污染率为10.00%。经对牡蛎诺如病毒检出情况进行比较分析,提示不同品种、夏季在不同地区(湛江、茂名、珠海、汕头)差异未见统计学意义(χ2=2.78,P=0.249;χ2=4.73,P=0.196),不同地区、秋季的不同地区(阳江、珠海、惠州、汕尾)差异有统计学意义(χ2=14.82,P=0.022;χ2=12.32,P=0.006)。结论广东省养殖牡蛎的诺如病毒污染率为10.00%,且以GⅡ型诺如病毒为主,与近年常见的毒株基因型一致,说明牡蛎是诺如病毒主要载体。秋季时养殖牡蛎的诺如病毒污染情况受地区分布的影响,尤其是受养殖牡蛎的地理环境、水文条件和周围村落分布的影响。     

Characteristics of tuberculosis patients with positive sputum smear in Catalonia, Spain

BACKGROUND: Patients with positive sputum smears are those with the capacity to spread infection. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence of tuberculosis in Catalonia (an autonomous community in the northeast of Spain which includes Barcelona) and to determine risk factors associated to patients with positive sputum smear test. METHODS: New cases of tuberculosis detected by active surveillance between May 1996 and April 1997 were studied. The study was analysed as a coincident cases and controls study. The rate of incidence was calculated per 100,000 persons-year. The association of the dependent variable--case of tuberculosis with positive sputum smear--with the remainder of independent variables was determined by odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of 2508 cases of tuberculosis were detected. The rate of incidence was 41.4 per 100,000 persons-year. Of these 19.4% (487/2508) were coinfected with HIV and 35.6% (893/2508) presented a positive sputum smear, which implies a rate of 14.7 per 100,000 persons-year. In an adjusted multivariate analysis, cases with positive smears were positively associated with the 15-24 (OR=1.9; 95% CI: 1.4-2.4), 25-34 (OR=2.1; 95% CI: 1.7-2.7) and 35-44 years (OR=1.7; 95% CI: 1.3-2.2) age compared with persons 45 years old and above; with males (OR=1.8; 95% CI: 1.5-2.2) and consumers of alcohol (OR=2.1; 95% CI: 1.7-2.7) and negatively with those under 15 years of age (OR=0.1; 95% CI: 0.1-0.2) and coinfection with HIV (OR=0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Measures to control tuberculosis transmission (prompt diagnosis, study of contacts and directly observed treatments) should be reinforced for male adults with excessive consumption of alcohol.     

Green tea and gastric cancer risk: meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between green tea consumption and the risk of gastric cancer. METHODS: Electronic search of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Chinese Bio-medicine Database, which have articles published between (1966 and 2006), was conducted to select studies for this meta-analysis. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 14 epidemiologic studies, with a total number of 6123 gastric cancer cases and 134006 controls. The combined results based on all studies showed that green tea consumption was not associated with the risk of gastric cancer [odds ratio (OR)=0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.77-1.24]. The summary OR from all population-based case-control studies showed a minor inverse association between green tea consumption and risk of gastric cancer (OR=0.68, 95% CI=0.49-0.92), while no associations were noted from hospital-based case-control studies (OR=1.12, 95% CI=0.70-1.77) and cohort studies (OR=1.56, 95% CI=0.93-2.60). No associations were noted both in males (OR=1.10, 95% CI=0.76-1.60) and females (OR=0.99, 95% CI=0.64-1.51). The summary OR from seven studies suggest that the highest consumption level of green tea was more than 5 cups per day and no associations were noted (OR=0.99, 95% CI=0.78-1.27). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis indicated that there is no clear epidemiological evidence to support the suggestion that green tea plays a role in the prevention of gastric cancer.