An investigation of the association of colonic adenomatous polyps and nutritional status of retinol and carotene

The hypothesis was evaluated that lower dietary consumption of carotene or retinol or lower serum levels of beta carotene or retinol are associated with development of colonic adenomas. To evaluate this hypothesis, selected patients who were to undergo colonoscopy to determine polyps status were asked to undergo a battery of tests to assess nutritional status. These tests included a dietary and demographic questionnaire, serologic assessment of beta carotene and retinol, and a dark adaptation test.

One hundred male subjects were evaluated. Fifty-seven were found to have colonic adenomatous polyps. Cases and controls appeared to be well matched for demographic characteristics. There were no statistically significant differences for any nutritional parameter between cases and controls, but cigarette smoking was more prevalent among cases than controls (p<0.05).

Because nonsignificant negative associations with colonic adenomas were observed for some of the nutritional parameters, it is concluded that additional subjects should be studied, as planned.