Coffee consumption and risk of lung cancer: a systematic review and meta- analysis of prospective cohort studies

Abstract

Background Studies on the association between coffee consumption and risk of lung cancer have been conflicting. Objective The aim of this study was to systematically review the current evidence on the association between coffee consumption and risk of lung cancer and to quantify this association by performing a meta-analysis. Methods A comprehensive systematic search was performed on online databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science up to June 2023 investigating the association between coffee consumption and risk of lung cancer. All prospective cohort studies reporting odds ratios (ORs), rate or risk ratios (RRs), or hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in this context were included. The overall effect size was calculated using the random-effects model and statistical between-studies heterogeneity was examined using Cochrane’s Q test and I2. Results A total of 12 prospective cohort studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. We found a significant positive association between coffee consumption and risk of lung cancer (RR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.73). This association remained significant when we excluded a pooled analysis paper and included 12 cohort studies (RR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.50). A sensitivity analysis showed that no particular study had a significant influence on the summary effects. In addition, we observed no proof of significant publication bias using Egger’s test (P = 0.49). Conclusion We found a significant positive association between coffee consumption and risk of lung cancer.