Abstract

Introduction: The evidence suggests that following a dietary inflammatory index (DII) could increase the risk of various types cancer in the adult population. Aim: To examine the scientific material that has been published to date on the association between DII adherence and the risk of gastric cancer (GC). Methods: Systematic review of observational studies using the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus databases from January 2003 to January 2023. Observational studies on humans that examined exposure to an DII or its adaption and association with the GC were considered. Using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS), which is based on the PRISMA criteria, study quality and bias risk were evaluated. Results: 8 articles that met the elegibility criteria were selected. 3 prospective cohort studies and 5 case-control studies stood out among them. A strong positive association between following a pro-inflammatory DII and a higher risk of GC incidence was discovered in the majority of the studies examined (87.5%). According to 2 studies, a pro-inflammatory dietary pattern and the location of the proximal GC are positively correlated. The research that was examined by NOS reported a minimal risk of bias. Discussion: DII has significant advantages because to its adaptability and comparability across many groups, which is supported by a strong body of evidence used to validate it. Dietary interactions with variables such as H. pylori can have an effect on chronic inflammation of the mucosa of the gastric tissue. Conclusions: Several studies in adult populations have reported relevant epidemiological evidence supporting a significant association between a proinflammatory dietary pattern and an increased risk of gastric cancer. © 2023 Sociedad espanola de dietetica. All rights reserved.