Esophageal squamous cell cancer in a highly endemic region

Table 1 Baseline characteristics n (%)

Variable	Case (n = 27)	Control (n = 45)	P value
Age group
< 30 yr	2 (7.41)	2 (4.4)	(reference)
31–45 yr	7 (26.0)	14 (31.1)	0.99
46–60 yr	6 (22.2)	11 (24.4)	0.99
> 60 yr	12 (44.4)	18 (40.0)	0.99
Gender
Male	17 (63)	31 (69)	0.99
Female	10 (37)	14 (31)	(reference)
Education
None	2 (8.3)	4 (8.9)	(reference)
Primary	15 (62.5)	18 (40.0)	0.76
Secondary	6 (25)	11 (24.4)	0.66
Tertiary	1 (4.1)	12 (26.7)	0.99
Income
Low	21 (77.8)	15 (33.3)	(reference)
High	2 (7.4)	14 (31.1)	0.025
Irregular/unsure	4 (14.8)	16 (35.6)	0.019
Smoking status
Never	19 (70)	42 (93)	(reference)
Ever	8 (30)	3 (7)	0.024
Alcohol intake
Never	18 (67)	37 (82)	(reference)
Ever	9 (33)	8 (18)	0.140
Median BMI (kg/m2)	16.8	24.5	0.014
HIV
Positive	6 (22.2)	3 (6.7)	0.140
Negative	20 (74.1)	38 (84.4)	(reference)
MUAC (cm)	21.5 (19-25)	28 (26-31)	0.0024

Low income: less than $200 per month; Ever smoked or drank alcohol includes both current and former. A P value of < 0.05 was statistical significant. BMI: Body mass index; MUAC: Mid upper arm circumference; HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus.