DIET AND GENITAL WARTS - A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Background and Objectives: Clinical observations support a substantial role for impaired immunity in the development of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Intake of vitamins, especially vitamins A and C, and alcohol consumption have been reported to influence immune response. Goal of the Study: To examine the relationship between nutritional risk factors, including alcohol consumption, and the risk of genital warts. Study Design: A case-control study was conducted among enrollees at four clinics of Group Health Cooperative in western Washington state. A total of 188 cases diagnosed with condyloma from April 1, 1987 to September 30, 1991 and 245 controls completed a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Results: After adjustment for socioeconomic indicators, total energy intake, smoking and sexual behavior, a weekly consumption of two to four alcoholic drinks was associated with an almost doubled risk of genital warts (OR = 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-3.6). Consuming five or more alcoholic drinks per week was even more related to the risk of genital warts (OR = 2.4, 99% CI = 1.2-5.1). The risks tended to increase with the number of alcoholic drinks (P = 0.006). Vitamin A and C intakes as measured by a food frequency questionnaire did not alter the risk of condyloma. Conclusion: Moderately high consumption of alcohol is associated with increased risk of condyloma. Further biological and epidemiological studies are needed to explain this association.