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The following is a summary of “Metabolic syndrome and increased susceptibility to renal cell carcinoma – a meta-analysis,” published in the February 2025 issue of BMC Nephrology by Zhou et al.
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is linked to various cancers, but its association with kidney cancer remains unclear. This study assesses the potential risk.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study using a meta-analysis to assess the link between MetS and kidney cancer risk.
They retrieved observational studies from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. About 2 reviewers extracted study characteristics and assessed quality. They used a random-effects model for heterogeneity and conducted subgroup analyses. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plot symmetry and Egger’s regression test.
The results showed that 6 studies with 10 results confirmed MetS as an independent risk factor for kidney cancer (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.31–1.59, P < 0.001). Heterogeneity was significant (Q test, P < 0.001; I2 = 83.7%). Subgroup analyses showed consistent associations across gender, follow-up duration, and MetS criteria (P > 0.05) but varied by race and study design (P < 0.05). The funnel plot was symmetrical, and Egger’s test (P = 0.425) indicated low publication bias.
Investigators found that MetS was independently associated with increased RCC susceptibility, but the association varied by study design and region due to heterogeneity.
Source: bmcnephrol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12882-025-04013-6
