TABLE 2.
Characteristics of selected studies
| Study characteristics (total n = 16) | Publications, n (%) | Participants per study range, n | Total participants across all studies, n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of publication | |||
| Before 1990 | 3 (19) | 1184–34,198 | 35,382 |
| 1990–1999 | 5 (31) | 357–120,852 | 156,115 |
| 2000–2009 | 3 (19) | 144–120,852 | 121,581 |
| 2010–2019 | 5 (31) | 212–182,145 | 185,998 |
| Geographic region | |||
| Mediterranean | 5 (31) | 144–708 | 1887 |
| North Europe | 4 (25) | 585–120,852 | 121,437 |
| North America | 6 (37.5) | 1184–182,145 | 220,345 |
| Australia | 1 (6) | 357 | 357 |
| Study design | |||
| Prospective cohort | 9 (56) | 1184–182,145 | 341,197 |
| Case-control | 7 (44) | 144–708 | 2829 |
| Type of dried fruit | |||
| Combined dried fruit | 13 (81) | 212–120,852 | 161,380 |
| Dried grapes | 2 (12.5) | 144–357 | 501 |
| Prunes | 1 (6) | 182,145 | 182,145 |
| Dried figs | 1 (6) | 144 | 144 |
| Dates | 1 (6) | 501 | 501 |
| Outcome | |||
| Overall cancer mortality | 1 (6) | 1184 | 1184 |
| Bladder cancer incidence | 2 (12.5) | 585–120,852 | 121,437 |
| Breast cancer incidence | 1 (6) | 182,145 | 182,145 |
| Colorectal cancer incidence | 1 (6) | 501 | 501 |
| Colorectal polyps incidence | 1 (6) | 2818 | 2818 |
| Lung cancer incidence | 1 (6) | 34,198 | 34,198 |
| Nasopharyngeal cancer incidence | 1 (6) | 144 | 144 |
| Prostate cancer incidence | 3 (19) | 322–58,279 | 72,601 |
| Pancreatic cancer incidence or mortality | 2 (12.5) | 357–34,198 | 34,555 |
| Stomach cancer incidence | 3 (19) | 212–120,852 | 121,772 |