Domestic burning of incense and mosquito coils on the risk of
nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Objectives: To clarify the association between incense and
mosquito coils burning and the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC),
we performed this systematic review of epidemiological studies.
Methods: A search of studies published through October 2022 in
MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed, supplemented by searches of
reference lists, recent reviews, and Chinese databases. The quality of
the included studies was assessed with special reference to exposure
assessment. Random-effect meta-analysis estimated the pooled odds ratios
(OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) whenever applicable.
Results: One cohort and 12 case-control studies were
identified. The cohort study found no association between incense
burning and NPC risk. In meta-analysis of six case-control studies with
reasonable quality, the pooled OR for incense burning during adulthood
was 1.61 (95% CI 1.43-1.81). Five studies assessed association between
exposures to incense smoke during childhood and NPC risk, and the pooled
OR was 1.22 (95% CI 0.76-1.96) associated with incense burning at birth
and was 1.37 (95% CI 1.10-1.71) for exposure at the age of 10 years.
The pooled OR for mosquito coils burning during adulthood was 1.30 (95%
CI 1.04-1.62). None of the four previous case-control studies found an
increased risk of NPC associated with mosquito coils burning during
childhood. Conclusions: Our findings suggest an increased NPC
risk associated with incense burning and mosquito coils. More
epidemiological studies with refined exposure assessment are still
warranted.