# Role of Healthy Lifestyle and Diet Quality in the Development of Colorectal Cancer in the Adult Population in the Kurdistan Region: A Case-Control Study

## TL;DR

This study found that poor diet quality and unhealthy lifestyles are linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer in the Kurdistan Region.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into CRC risk factors specific to the Kurdistan Region's adult population.

## Key findings

- CRC patients had significantly lower diet quality and lifestyle scores than healthy controls.
- A history of chronic diseases, hypertension, and IBD was more common in CRC patients.
- Smoking and physical activity scores were significantly lower in CRC patients.

## Abstract

Background

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in developing countries. The factors contributing to the risk of CRC are not known in developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the role of a healthy lifestyle on CRC in the adult population in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Methodology

In this case-control investigation, patients previously diagnosed with CRC were included as cases (n = 84) and the healthy adult population as healthy controls (n = 87). The patients were selected from the Gastroenterology Unit of Azadi Teaching Hospital and Emergency Teaching Hospital. The healthy controls were selected from the caregivers of patients who met the eligibility criteria.

Results

Individuals with a history of chronic disease (63.08% vs. 40.52%; p = 0.0043), a history of hypertension (71.74% vs. 40.80%; p = 0.0003), and a history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (59.42% vs. 42.16%; p = 0.0267) had a significantly higher prevalence of CRC compared to healthy controls. CRC patients had significantly lower diet quality scores than healthy controls (36.27 vs. 37.83; p = 0.0002). The study showed that CRC patients had a significantly lower lifestyle index score compared to healthy controls (10.20 vs. 11.69; p = 0.0002). In addition, CRC patients had lower scores for diet (0.42 vs. 1.00; p < 0.0001), smoking (2.92 vs. 4.0; p < 0.0001), and physical activity (1.02 vs. 1.70; p < 0.0001) compared to healthy controls. However, CRC patients and healthy controls had similar alcohol index scores (5.0 vs. 530; p = 1.000) and body mass index (1.04 vs. 1.01; p = 0.8982).

Conclusions

This study showed that CRC was associated with having a history of bad diet quality and unhealthy lifestyles. In addition, a history of chronic diseases, hypertension, and IBD was associated with the risk of CRC.