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Observational epidemiological surveys (WG 3) page 5
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prevention of disease. Beside, a study on the contribution of tomatoes in the microcompounds
of interest to the intake of a Mediterranean population will be presented.
Methodology
A large body of data concerning cancers and cardio-vascular disease in particular has been
reviewed and summarised. For cancers, we decided to use four books as a basis (CNERNA,
1996; World Cancer Research Fund-WCRF-, 1997; COMA Food and Nutrition Policy, 1998;
Carotenoids, IARC, 1998) which were published in three different countries. For cardio-
vascular disease Ness and Powles review (1997) up to 1996. We updated these reference
books and reviews with studies published since 1996. When no background reviews existed
for the remaining diseases and for the microcompounds we had to cover, all the reported
studies were analysed as long as they satisfied methodological criteria. We did not make any
attempt to obtain unpublished data.
The criteria of selection of analysis were as follows :
• Design of the study: case-control and prospective studies were reviewed.
• Assessment of the exposure: dietary intake, plasma or tissue nutrient concentration.
Quality of nutritional data was estimated and based on number of items of the
questionnaire, type of quantitative assessment, and validation of the questionnaire.
Quality of biological measurements was estimated by conditions of storage (-70°C)
and of the method used (results based on total anti-oxidant capacity of the plasma
were excluded).
• Size of the sample: At least 100 cases for prospective studies and 400 cases in case-
control studies for high incidence cancers (lung, breast, colorectal cancers) were
analysed; 50 and 100 cases respectively for less frequent cancers. The studies based
on plasma or tissue nutrient concentration were limited to 50 cases.
• Statistical analysis had to include potential dietary and non-dietary confounders, and
energy had to be included in the logistic regression model.
• Significance of the results (indicated with 95% confidence interval) and presence of
a dose-response effect.
Rejection of paper has been justified.
All the analysis of data must be based on the actual published report which is available for the
reader.