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Abstract Details
Physical Activity and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Dig Dis Sci. 2022 Jun 29. doi: 10.1007/s10620-022-07601-w. Online ahead of print.
1Department of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA.
2College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA.
3Department of Public Health Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University- College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
4Cancer Institute, The Pennsylvania State University- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
5Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University- College of Health and Human Development, University Park, PA, USA.
6Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, The Pennsylvania State University- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA.
7Department of Public Health Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University- College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA. jstine@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
8Cancer Institute, The Pennsylvania State University- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA. jstine@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
9Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA. jstine@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
10Liver Center, The Pennsylvania State University- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA. jstine@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Abstract
Background & aims: Physical activity offers promise to protect against multiple non-hepatic primary cancers. We performed a systematic review to quantify the association between physical activity and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk.
Methods: We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline and trial registries through December 2020 for studies that measured physical activity levels in adults at risk for HCC. The primary outcome was HCC. Subgroup analysis was performed limiting to vigorous physical activity. Proportions and random-effects odds ratios (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.
Results: Seven studies met inclusion criteria, comprising 777,662 subjects (median age 55 years; 55% female). Greater amounts of physical activity were associated with less HCC (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45-0.95, p = 0.03) compared to lower amounts. Vigorous physical activity was associated with even less HCC (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.49-0.79, p < 0.01).
Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that greater amounts of physical activity are associated with lower odds of HCC. These results support the use of regular physical activity as an effective way to prevent HCC and provide helpful data to support a for future exercise-based interventional study to better define the optimal exercise prescription for patients at risk for primary liver cancer.