Discriminating ability of the MedDietScore in relation to gastrointestinal tract cancer A sensitivity-specificity analysis
NIKI KONTOU1,3, DEMOSTHENES B. PANAGIOTAKOS1*, THEODORA PSALTOPOULOU2, NICK SOUPOS2, EVANGELOS POLYCHRONOPOULOS1, ATHENA LINOS2, EMMANOUEL PARASKEVAS3
*Corresponding author
1. Harokopio University, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, 70 Eleftheriou Venizelou st, Athens, 17671, Greece
2. University of Athens, School of Medicine, 75 Mikras Asias st, Athens,11527, Greece
3. Saint Savvas Cancer Hospital, 171 Alexandras Avenue, Athens, 11522, Greece
Abstract
The MedDietScore, already validated for cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disorders, was evaluated for itsaccuracy in relation to gastrointestinal cancer. 250 patients with first developed gastrointestinal cancer (63±12 years, 59.6percent males) and 250 age-sex group matched cases were studied. MedDietScore (theoretical range 0-55) and a standardized questionnaire were applied. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the MedDietScore were 53 percent (95percent CI 49-57 percent), 67 percent (95 percent CI 63-71 percent) and 60 percent, respectively, for a threshold of <29/55defining “unhealthy” dietary habits. Sub-groups analyses according to gender, family history of gastrointestinal cancer andobesity, had similar results. The overall C-statistic, after adjusting for all known confounders, was 0.76. The proposed MedDietScore may be useful in the primary prevention of gastrointestinal cancer.
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