Identification of Risk Factors Associated with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) in the Pahang State of Malaysia Hospitals

Abstract

Identification of Risk Factors Associated with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) in the Pahang State of Malaysia Hospitals

Azmir Ahmad 1 , Muzaitul Akma Mustapa Kamal Basha 2 , Wardah Mohd. Yassin 3 , Nor Azlina A. Rahman 3 , Wan Ishlah Leman 4 , Luqman Rosla 5 , Sharifah Nor Ezura Syed Yussof 5 , Mark Paul 6 , Kamariah Mohamed Awang 7 , Kahari Abdullah 8 , Mohd. Arifin Kaderi 3*

1 Department of Basic Medical Science for Nursing, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200, Malaysia 2 Department of Special Care Nursing, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200, Malaysia 3 Department of Biomedical Science, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200, Malaysia 4 Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200, Malaysia 5 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Temerloh 28000, Malaysia 6 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia 7 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan 25100, Malaysia 8 Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant, KPJ Batu Pahat Specialist Hospital, Batu Pahat 83000, Malaysia

Abs tra c t Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the fifth most common cancer reported in Malaysia. Although several studies on NPC have been carried out, the risk factors associated with NPC in Malaysia are unknown. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the risk factors associated with NPC cases in Pahang state. Methods: NPC cases that were diagnosed between 2012 and 2017 were recruited from two referral hospitals in Pahang. An interview was conducted using adapted questionnaires, which included demographic data, family history of cancer, and lifestyle. The data were analyzed statistically to identify the associations between the selected variables and NPC. Results: A total of 71 NPC cases and 81 control subjects were recruited from the hospitals. Multivariate analysis showed that a family history of NPC and current smoking were significantly associated with the risk of NPC (p < 0.05). Further analysis revealed a significant association between the risk of NPC in smokers with no family history of NPC (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that family history and smoking are factors associated with the development of NPC in Pahang, which was consistent with previous studies.

K e ywo rds : Malaysia, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, risk factors, smoking