Sudanese slated fish (Kejeik) diet and risk to nasopharyngeal carcinoma- A case control study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Although nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare in most populations, it is a leading fomi of cancer in a few well-defined populations, including natives of southern China, Southeast Asia, the Arctic, and the Middle East/North Africa. The distinctive racial/ethnic and geographic distribution of NPC worldwide suggests that both environmental factors and genetic traits contribute to its development. Salted fish diet is common in population where NPC is more common. These foods can be very high in nitrates and nitrites, which react with protein to form nitrosamines which are chemicals that can cause damage to DNA. Salted dried fish known as Kejeik is commonly prepared in Sudan. Some studies has tested its nutfional factors but none has studied its relation to cancer specially NPC. In this study we aimed to investigate Sudanese salted fish known as Kejeik and its possible potential association with NPC in Sudan - Oial 4;.» uax .>\.1,>:|v;t;.. - uax .>t.\,,\J| as - .~,_¢_a\ .1»? Materials and methnds:One hundred and forty -two Sudanese’s participants (71 cases diagnosed with NPC, 71 nonnal healthy controls.), were enrolled in this study. Results: Age of cases was varying between (12— 75 years i 5), median (34, 35), mean age (38.44), and the age of controls was varying between (11- 75 years :1: 5), median (29, 30), mean age (36.72). The age distribution of cases showed a high peak at age 16-20 and another two equal peaks at age 26-30 and 31-35, and a third peak at age 56-60 with an observed decline in age groups of 66-75. There was 51 males and 20 females, with a ratio of about 5:2. A strong associated between Kejeik and NPC was P value 0.035 and OR 95%CI 0.44(0.20 to 0.95). Discussion: The monotonically increase in age group was scrutinized indicating a possibility of early life exposure to carcinogens. The widely held young age of onset, point to the likelihood of hereditary. Male to female ratio was 5:2 which is slightly higher than that known about NPC worldwide which is 3:2. Similar to Chinese salted fish, the Sudanese dried salted fish Kejeik is associated with NPC in Sudan. Carbaryl (1-naphthyl methylcarbamate), also known as Sevin, might have probably increased the carcinogenicity of Kejeik.

Cconclusions: Results "obtained from the "present study -indicate that consumption of Sudanese salted fish known as Kejeik is a risk factor for NPC. Moreover, Sudanese NPC patients have the youngest age group peak in the world mainly among men. Key words: NPC, slated fish, Kejeik, Sudanese salted fish