Original Contribution
The American Journal of Gastroenterology (2005) 100, 390–394; doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.41220.x
Role of Supplemental Calcium in the Recurrence of Colorectal Adenomas: A Metaanalysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Aasma Shaukat MD, MPH1, Nicole Scouras MPH1 and Holger J Schünemann MD, PhD1
1Departments of Medicine and Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York; and Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Correspondence: Holger J Schünemann, Department of Medicine, University at Buffalo, ECMC-CC 142, 462 Grider St., Buffalo, NY 14215
Received 26 September 2004; Revised 0000; Accepted 28 September 2004.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Colorectal adenomas are neoplastic growths that are important targets for chemoprevention. Dietary calcium is thought to play an important role in chemoprevention. However, the role of calcium supplementation for preventing recurrence of adenomas is controversial. We performed a systematic review and metaanalysis to study the role of calcium supplementation in preventing recurrence of adenomas.
METHODS:
We searched electronic bibliographic databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, CINAHL, EMBASE, and MEDLINE) and contacted authors to identify potentially eligible studies.
RESULTS:
We identified three trials including 1,485 subjects with previously removed adenomas who were randomized to calcium versus placebo supplementation. The study endpoint was recurrence of adenomas at the end of 3–4 yr in 1,279 patients who completed the trials. We found that the recurrence of adenomas was significantly lower in subjects randomized to calcium supplementation (RR: 0.80, CI: 0.68, 0.93; p-value = 0.004).
CONCLUSIONS:
This systematic review and metaanalysis suggest that calcium supplementation prevents recurrent colorectal adenomas.
