Dairy Product Consumption and Bladder Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

To explore the potential relationship between dairy product consumption and bladder cancer risk, we retrieved eligible studies published up to March 15, 2018, via online database search and manual review of the selected articles. Summary relative risk (RR) estimates were calculated using random-effects models based on high to low intake values. Inter-study heterogeneity was explored using stratified analyses of study design, geographic region, or whether studies adjusted for the confounders age, sex, body mass index, smoking, and education level. We extracted data from 16 studies on milk (5,193 subjects) and 10 studies on dairy products (20,434 subjects). The total study population included 220,952 individuals. Dairy product intake and bladder cancer risk were significantly associated, and milk intake and bladder cancer risk more so. Stratified analysis revealed that the trend was more pronounced in case–control studies, and in studies with impact factor <3 and in Asia. The relationship was confirmed after adjusting for sex and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale score of 7 and 8. Our study shows an inverse association between milk consumption and bladder cancer risk.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the native English-speaking scientists of Elixigen Company (Huntington Beach, California) for editing the manuscript.

Disclosure Statement

The authors report no conflicts of interests. We confirm that none of the authors are related to the authors of the studies included in the meta-analysis.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jianhua Wu

Jianhua Wu and Yi Yu substantial contributions to conception and designed the data; Liqi Huang, Zirui Li and Penghui Guo drafted the article critically for important intellectual content; and YuanWen Xu final approval of the version to be published. We would like to thank the native English speaking scientists of Elixigen Company (Huntington Beach, California) for editing our manuscript.