Association between dietary fiber and endometrial cancer: a meta-analysis

Abstract

To explore a potential relationship between dietary fiber consumption and risk of endometrial cancer (EC), eligible studies published up to 30 June 2018 were retrieved via computer searches and manual review of references. Random-effects models were used to calculate summary relative risk (RR) estimates based on contrasting high- and low-fiber intake values. Sensitivity analysis was conducted, and heterogeneity among study results was explored through stratified analyses by study design, geographic region, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) score, impact factor, and adjustment for several confounders (age, body mass index, smoking, energy intake, and education). We extracted data from 16 studies (involving 6,563 cases). There was a significant association between dietary fiber intake and EC (RR = 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78, 0.93). In stratified analysis, this trend was more pronounced in the case–control studies, and in studies conducted in the Americas and Asia. The relationship was further confirmed after adjusting for education level (RR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.88) and age (RR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.83), and NOS scores of 6 (RR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.95) and 7 (RR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.88). In conclusion, our meta-analysis revealed an inverse association between dietary fiber consumption and EC risk. Further efforts should be made to confirm these findings.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the native English speaking scientists of Elixigen Company (Huntington Beach, California) for editing our manuscript.

Disclosure Statement

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

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The present study was supported by the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province, China [grant number 20140221].