ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

‍Quantification of the association between the coffee consumption and risk of oral cancer is still conflicting. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the evidence from epidemiological studies of coffee consumption with the risk of oral cancer.

METHODS:

‍Pertinent studies were identified by a search of PubMed and Web of Knowledge to March 2015. The random effect model was used. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias were conducted.

RESULTS:

‍Data from 12 studies including 4,037 oral cancer cases and 1,872,231 participants were used in this meta-analysis. Pooled results suggested that highest coffee consumption amount versus lowest amount was significantly associated with the risk of oral cancer [summary relative risk (RR) = 0.694, 95% CI = 0.543-0.886, I(2) = 65.0%]. The association was also significant in Europe [summary RR = 0.571, 95% CI = 0.378-0.863], but not in America. No publication bias was found.

CONCLUSIONS:

‍Our analysis suggested that the higher coffee consumption might reduce the risk of oral cancer, especially in Europe.