Dietary Fatty Acids and Recurrence of Colorectal Adenomas in a European Intervention Trial

Epidemiological studies have provided inconsistent data about the role of dietary fatty acids in colorectal cancer, and few studies have addressed their role in colorectal adenoma. The aim of the study was to assess the risk of overall adenoma recurrence associated with dietary consumption of total fat, subtypes of fat, and specific fatty acids (oleic acid, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid). The study sample was composed of 523 patients with confirmed adenomas at the index colonoscopy, 35 to 75 yr old, who completed the European fiber-calcium intervention trial and had an initial dietary assessment using a qualitative and quantitative food questionnaire. The overall 3-yr recurrence rate was 22.6% (118 out of 523 patients). There were no significant associations between overall adenoma recurrence and either total fat, subtypes of fat, or specific fatty acids. However, polyunsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid were both moderately but significantly associated with distal and multiple recurrence. No significant associations were observed with recurrence of proximal or advanced adenomas. Our findings do not support the hypothesis of strong associations between dietary fatty acids and recurrence of colorectal adenomas. The hypothesis of a differential role of specific fatty acids according to colorectal subsites deserves further investigation.