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Special Article
Genetically determined alcohol consumption and cancer risk in Korea
Keum Ji Jung, Ji Woo Baek, Sang Yop Shin, Sun Ha Jee
Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023077.   Published online August 23, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023077
  • 4,754 View
  • 160 Download
  • 2 Web of Science
  • 2 Crossref
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDF
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to determine the causal relationship between the genetically determined amount of alcohol consumption and the occurrence of major cancers.
METHODS
The data used in this study were from 129,324 people selected from the Korean Cancer Prevention Study-II, the participants of which visited 18 health examination centers between 2004 and 2013. Cancer incidence was confirmed as of 2020 using data from the National Cancer Center. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) on alcohol consumption was performed using PLINK 2.0, and sex, age, chip type, and principal components were adjusted.
RESULTS
From the GWAS, a genetic risk score for alcohol consumption was calculated and genetically determined alcohol consumption (GDAC) was estimated. GDAC was divided into quintile groups and showed significant causal relationships with rectal cancer and liver cancer, but not with other cancers. For liver cancer, an association was shown in the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative group, and a particularly strong association was found in the over-60-year-old HBsAg-negative group, in which, compared to the GDAC Q1 group, the Q4 group had a 2.35 times higher risk (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 5.23), and the Q5 group had a 2.40 times higher risk (95% CI, 1.09 to 5.30).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study provided evidence that the amount of alcohol consumed is causally related to the occurrence of rectal cancer and liver cancer in HBsAg-negative individuals. Additional studies should be continued for other cancer types through long-term follow-up.
Summary
Korean summary
본 연구는 유전적으로 결정되는 음주량과 주요 암 발생 사이의 인과 관계를 밝히고자 하였다. 그 결과 유전적으로 결정되는 음주량이 증가할수록 직장암 발생 위험이 높아졌고, 특히 HBsAg 음성인 사람에서 간암 발생 위험이 높아지는 것으로 밝혀졌다.
Key Message
The purpose of this study was to reveal the causal relationship between genetically determined alcohol consumption and the incidence of major cancers. As a result, it was found that as the genetically determined amount of alcohol consumed increases, the risk of rectal cancer increases, and especially in people who are HBsAg negative, the risk of liver cancer increases.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • A pan-cancer analysis of the prognostic implication and oncogenic role of tubulin epsilon and delta complex 2 (TEDC2) in human tumors
    Yang Liu, Jie Zhu, Jing Shen, Yuting Lu, Ke Pan, Chuan Tong, Yao Wang
    Frontiers in Immunology.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Cancer risk based on alcohol consumption levels: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
    Seunghee Jun, Hyunjin Park, Ui-Jeong Kim, Eun Jeong Choi, Hye Ah Lee, Bomi Park, Soon Young Lee, Sun Ha Jee, Hyesook Park
    Epidemiology and Health.2023; : e2023092.     CrossRef
Methods
Equivalence model: A new graphical model for causal inference
Jalal Poorolajal
Epidemiol Health. 2020;42:e2020024.   Published online April 9, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2020024
  • 12,228 View
  • 200 Download
  • 9 Web of Science
  • 8 Crossref
AbstractAbstract PDF
Abstract
Although several causal models relevant to epidemiology have been proposed, a key question that has remained unanswered is why some people at high-risk for a particular disease do not develop the disease while some people at low-risk do develop it. The equivalence model, proposed herein, addresses this dilemma. The equivalence model provides a graphical description of the overall effect of risk and protective factors at the individual level. Risk factors facilitate the occurrence of the outcome (the development of disease), whereas protective factors inhibit that occurrence. The equivalence model explains how the overall effect relates to the occurrence of the outcome. When a balance exists between risk and protective factors, neither can overcome the other; therefore, the outcome will not occur. Similarly, the outcome will not occur when the units of the risk factor(s) are less than or equal to the units of the protective factor(s). In contrast, the outcome will occur when the units of the risk factor(s) are greater than the units of the protective factor(s). This model can be used to describe, in simple terms, causal inferences in complex situations with multiple known and unknown risk and protective factors. It can also justify how people with a low level of exposure to one or more risk factor(s) may be affected by a certain disease while others with a higher level of exposure to the same risk factor(s) may remain unaffected.
Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Association between birth weight and risk of nonneurological childhood cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    Roya Rashti, Faezeh Ghasemi, Jalal Poorolajal
    European Journal of Cancer Prevention.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • The association between major gastrointestinal cancers and red and processed meat and fish consumption: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the observational studies
    Jalal Poorolajal, Younes Mohammadi, Marzieh Fattahi-Darghlou, Fatemeh Almasi-Moghadam, Atalel Fentahun Awedew
    PLOS ONE.2024; 19(6): e0305994.     CrossRef
  • The Role of Social Support in Preventing Suicidal Ideations and Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    Nahid Darvishi, Jalal Poorolajal, Bita Azmi-Naei, Mehran Farhadi
    Journal of Research in Health Sciences.2024; 24(2): e00609.     CrossRef
  • The role of problem-solving skills in the prevention of suicidal behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
    Nahid Darvishi, Mehran Farhadi, Bita Azmi-Naei, Jalal Poorolajal, Humayun Kabir
    PLOS ONE.2023; 18(10): e0293620.     CrossRef
  • Risk of primary lung cancer after breast cancer radiotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    Bushra Zareie, Mohammad Aziz Rasouli, Jalal Poorolajal
    Breast Cancer.2022; 29(2): 361.     CrossRef
  • The effect of silica exposure on the risk of lung cancer: A dose-response meta-analysis
    Fatemeh Shahbazi, Mina Morsali, Jalal Poorolajal
    Cancer Epidemiology.2021; 75: 102024.     CrossRef
  • Factors for the Primary Prevention of Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies
    Jalal Poorolajal, Fatemeh Heidarimoghis, Manoochehr Karami, Zahra Cheraghi, Fatemeh Gohari-Ensaf, Fatemeh Shahbazi, Bushra Zareie, Pegah Ameri, Fatemeh Sahraei
    Journal of Research in Health Sciences.2021; 21(3): e00520.     CrossRef
  • The Epidemiology of Aggression and Associated Factors among Iranian Adult Population: A National Survey
    Jalal Poorolajal, Bahram Ebrahimi, Forouzan Rezapur-Shahkolai, Amin Doosti-Irani, Mahnaz Alizadeh, Jamal Ahmadpoor, Leila Moradi, Azam Biderafsh, Fateme Nikbakht, Zakie Golmohammadi, Ehsan Sarbazi, Samira Bahadivand, Marzieh Jahani Sayad Noveiri, Maryam R
    Journal of Research in Health Sciences.2020; 20(4): e00499.     CrossRef
Brief Communication
Evaluation report on the causal association between humidifier disinfectants and lung injury
Mina Ha, Soon Young Lee, Seung-sik Hwang, Hyesook Park, Seungsoo Sheen, Hae Kwan Cheong, Bo Youl Choi
Epidemiol Health. 2016;38:e2016037.   Published online August 18, 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2016037
  • 22,385 View
  • 520 Download
  • 6 Crossref
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDFSupplementary Material
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
As of November 2011, the Korean government recalled and banned humidifier disinfectants (HDs) from the market, because four case-control studies and one retrospective epidemiological study proved the association between HDs and lung injury of unknown cause. The report reviewed the causal role of HDs in lung injury based on scientific evidences.
METHODS
A careful examination on the association between the HDs and lung injury was based on the criteria of causality inference by Hill and the US Surgeon General Expert Committee.
RESULTS
We found that all the evidences on the causality fulfilled the criteria (strength of association, consistency, specificity, temporality, biologic gradient, plausibility, coherence, experiment, analogy, consideration of alternative explanations, and cessation of exposure), which proved the unknown cause lung injury reported in 2011 was caused by the HDs. In particular, there was no single reported case of lung injury since the ban in selling HDs in November 2011 as well as before the HDs were sold in markets.
CONCLUSIONS
Although only a few epidemiological studies in Korea have evaluated the association between lung injury and the use of HDs, those studies contributed to proving the strong association between the use of the HDs and lung injury, based on scientific evidence.
Summary
Korean summary
본 논문에서는 Hill의 기준과 US Surgeon General 전문위원회에서 제시하는 기준에 근거하여 가습기살균제와 폐손상과의 인과성을 검토하였다. 검토결과, 11개 조건(관련성의 강도, 일관성, 특이성, 시간적 선후관계, 생물학적 용량-반응 관계, 개연성, 기존 지식과의 일치성, 실험, 유사성, 다른 가능한 해석에 대한 고려 및 노출의 중단) 을 모두 충족함을 확인하므로 써, 2011년 발생한 원인미상 폐손상의 원인이 가습기살균제 노출로 인한 것임을 알 수 있었다. 무엇보다도 가습기살균제 시판 전에는 원인미상 폐손상이 보고된 바가 없었고, 2011년 11월 가습기살균제 판매중지 이후 폐손상이 한 건도 발생하지 않은 것은 원인미상의 폐손상이 가습기살균제로 인한 것임을 강력하게 지지하는 것으로 판단된다.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • New-Onset and Exacerbation of Lung Diseases after Short-Term Exposures to Humidifier Disinfectant during Hospitalization
    Seula Lee, Kyunghee Han, Jeonggyo Yoon, Eun-Kyung Jo, Wonho Yang, Yoon-Hyeong Choi
    Toxics.2022; 10(7): 371.     CrossRef
  • Characterizing Subjects Exposed to Humidifier Disinfectants Using Computed-Tomography-Based Latent Traits: A Deep Learning Approach
    Frank Li, Jiwoong Choi, Xuan Zhang, Prathish K. Rajaraman, Chang-Hyun Lee, Hongseok Ko, Kum-Ju Chae, Eun-Kee Park, Alejandro P. Comellas, Eric A. Hoffman, Ching-Long Lin
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(19): 11894.     CrossRef
  • Physical analysis reveals distinct responses of human bronchial epithelial cells to guanidine and isothiazolinone biocides
    Tae Yoon Kwon, Jaeseong Jeong, Eunyoung Park, Youngbin Cho, Dongyoung Lim, Ung Hyun Ko, Jennifer H. Shin, Jinhee Choi
    Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.2021; 424: 115589.     CrossRef
  • Need for individual-based evaluation to determine the association between humidifier disinfectants and health injuries
    Hyeong-Cheol Kim, Hyunil Kim, Eun-Chan Mun, Yesung Lee, Soyoung Park
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Strength of Association. Report 1. Graduations of Relative Risk
    А. Котеров, A. Koterov, Л. Ушенкова, L. Ushenkova, Э. Зубенкова, E. Zubenkova, А. Вайнсон, A. Vaynson, М. Калинина, M. Kalinina, А. Бирюков, A. Biryukov
    Medical Radiology and radiation safety.2019; : 5.     CrossRef
  • Causal inference in environmental epidemiology
    Sanghyuk Bae, Hwan-Cheol Kim, Byeongjin Ye, Won-Jun Choi, Young-Seoub Hong, Mina Ha
    Environmental Health and Toxicology.2017; 32: e2017015.     CrossRef
Methods
The causality between smoking and lung cancer among groups and individuals: addressing issues in tobacco litigation in South Korea
Young-Ho Khang
Epidemiol Health. 2015;37:e2015026.   Published online May 31, 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih/e2015026
  • 20,399 View
  • 156 Download
  • 3 Web of Science
  • 3 Crossref
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDFSupplementary Material
Abstract
This article discusses issues on the causality between smoking and lung cancer, which have been raised during the tobacco litigation in South Korea. It should be recognized that the explanatory ability of risk factor(s) for inter-individual variations in disease occurrence is different from the causal contribution of the risk factor(s) to disease occurrence. The affected subjects of the tobacco litigation in South Korea are lung cancer patients with a history of cigarette smoking. Thus, the attributable fraction of the exposed rather than the population attributable fraction should be used in the tobacco litigation regarding the causal contribution of smoking to lung cancer. Scientific evidence for the causal relationship between smoking and lung cancer is based on studies of individuals and groups, studies in animals and humans, studies that are observational or experimental, studies in laboratories and communities, and studies in both underdeveloped and developed countries. The scientific evidence collected is applicable to both groups and individuals. The probability of causation, which is calculated based on the attributable fraction for the association between smoking and lung cancer, could be utilized as evidence to prove causality in individuals.
Summary
Korean summary
이 글에서는 우리나라 담배소송 과정에서 제기된 흡연과 폐암의 인과성에 대하여 논하였다. 질병 발생의 개인 간 변이에 대한 위험 요인의 설명력과 질병발생에 미치는 위험요인의 인과적 기여도는 다르다는 점을 지적하였다. 개인에서의 흡연과 폐암의 인과성에 대한 정보로 인과확률이 활용될 수 있음을 강조하였다.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • A different causal perspective with Necessary Condition Analysis
    Jan Dul
    Journal of Business Research.2024; 177: 114618.     CrossRef
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    Jun-Pyo Myong, Hyeongsu Kim, Kunsei Lee, Soung Hoon Chang
    Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2018; 61(8): 466.     CrossRef
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    Alex Broadbent, Seung-sik Hwang
    Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.2016; 70(6): 527.     CrossRef
Original Article
The Role of the Epidemiological Causality of the Association between Smoking and Lung Cancer.
Kyung Hwan Lee, Hyun Hee Kang
Korean J Epidemiol. 2005;27(2):28-37.
  • 65,535 View
  • 25 Download
AbstractAbstract PDF
Abstract
It is generally accepted that acknowledgment of the causality of the association between smoking and lung cancer plays a crucial role in imposing liability on tobacco manufacturers in tobacco-related cases. However, acknowledgment of the epidemiological causality of the association is merely a precondition to putting liability on tobacco manufacturers; it does not play a crucial role. Smokers smoke manufactured tobacco by their right to choose according to their self-decision; therefore, it is not reasonable to place all liability concerning lung cancer on tobacco manufacturers. This paper studies the dual structure of the causality of the association between tobacco manufacturing and smoking as well as smoking and lung cancer. It can be understood that tobacco manufacturers must be held liable for lung cancer caused by smoking when there was intentional concealment or insufficient provision of information on the harmfulness of tobacco and the addictiveness of nicotine. The epidemiological causality of the association is the minimum scientific and legal precondition to placing liability on tobacco manufacturers for lung cancer caused by smoking. However, striving for protection and promotion of national health by, for instance, promoting antismoking programs, the epidemiological causality of the association adequately plays a social role when viewed from a public health perspective.
Summary
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