Association between adiponectin levels and endometrial carcinoma risk: evidence from a dose–response meta-analysis

• Published in: BMJ open Vol. 5; no. 9; p. e008541
• Main Authors: Lin, Tong, Zhao, Xin, Kong, Wei-min
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 03.09.2015; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Adiponectin - blood; Endometrial cancer; Endometrial Neoplasms - diagnosis; Endometrial Neoplasms - epidemiology; Female; Health risk assessment; Humans; Insulin resistance; Oncology; Publication Bias; Risk Factors; Studies; Systematic review; Europe
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008541

ObjectivesEpidemiological studies evaluating the association between adiponectin levels and endometrial carcinoma risk have produced inconsistent results. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the association between them.MethodsPertinent studies were identified by a search of PubMed and Web of Knowledge through January of 2015. A random-effects model was used to combine the data for analysis. Dose–response relationship was assessed by restricted cubic spline and variance-weighted least squares regression analysis.ResultsTwelve articles (5 prospective studies and 7 case–control studies) involving 1916 endometrial carcinoma cases were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled results suggested that highest adiponectin levels versus lowest levels were significantly associated with the risk of endometrial carcinoma (summary relative risk (RR)=0.525, 95% CI 0.388 to 0.712, I2=64.2%). The association was also found in postmenopausal women (summary RR=0.646, 95% CI 0.433 to 0.964), but not in premenopausal women. A linear dose–response relationship was found, with the risk of endometrial carcinoma decreasing by 3% for every 1 μg/mL increase in adiponectin levels (summary RR=0.97, 95% CI 0.96 to 0.98). No publication bias was found.ConclusionsOur analysis suggested that the higher adiponectin levels might have a protective effect against endometrial carcinoma, especially in postmenopausal women.