Adapted dietary inflammatory index and differentiated thyroid carcinoma risk in two French population-based case–control studies

Purpose Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer and its etiology is still not well understood. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between an adapted dietary inflammatory index and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) risk in two population-based case–control studies (CATHY and YOUNG-THYR) conducted in France. Methods These studies included a total of 1321 DTC cases and 1502 controls, for which an adapted dietary inflammatory index (ADII) was computed based on food frequency questionnaires in each study separately. The association between ADII and thyroid cancer risk was assessed using logistic regression models controlling for potential confounders. Results Higher ADII scores, corresponding to a higher pro-inflammatory potential of the diet, were associated with higher DTC risk (odds ratio (OR) for 1 standard deviation (SD) increase: 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.18, P : 0.03). Associations were stronger in analyses restricted to women (OR for 1-SD increase: 1.14, 95% CI 1.04, 1.25, P : 0.005), as well as in women with lower education level, current smoking, or high body mass index. Conclusion Our study suggests that a pro-inflammatory diet is associated with an increased risk of DTC, especially when combined with other inflammatory conditions such as tobacco smoking or overweight. Our findings will help better understand the role of diet-induced inflammation in DTC etiology.