Decreased serum retinol levels in women with cervical dysplasia.

To examine the relationship of dietary and serum vitamin A to the risk of cervical dysplasia, a case-control study was conducted in Miyagi, Japan. Cases were 137 women who were found by Papanicolaou test screening and histological examination provided by Miyagi Cancer Society between October 1987 and September 1988 to have cervical dysplasia. Controls were selected from participants of the general health examination provided by the Society and individually matched to cases on age and screening date. The consumption of retinol or carotene-rich foods during the past 7 days was assessed at interview. Information was also collected about other risk factors of cervical dysplasia, such as reproductive histories and sexual behaviour. The mean serum retinol levels were significantly lower among cases compared with controls, although dietary intake levels of retinol and carotene were not different between the two groups. When examined by tertile, the risk of cervical dysplasia was significantly higher among women in the highest tertile of dietary vitamin A level. An inverse association was observed between serum retinol level and risk of cervical dysplasia, although it did not achieve statistical significance.