A meta-analysis of a case-control study of asbestos exposure and renal cell carcinoma in workplaces

  Objective  To explore the relationship between occupational exposure to asbestos and the risk of renal cancer.

  Methods  Based on the electronic databases(Wanfang database, CNKI database, VIP database, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library), the literatures related to occupational asbestos exposure and renal cancer were searched. The quality of the included literature was evaluated according to the Newcastle Ottawa scale(NOS), and the literature with an evaluation score of less than 6 was not included. The OR value and 95% confidence interval of the literatures were combined using Stata 12.0 software. The combined data were tested for heterogeneity by I² and P values. Sensitivity analysis was used to determine the stability of the results, and subgroup analysis was performed.

  Results  A total of 248 literatures were retrieved, and finally 8 articles and 10 case-control studies were included. There were 3 725 cases in the case group and 6 970 cases in the control group. There was low heterogeneity among 10 studies (I² < 0.1%, P = 0.585). The combined effect values showed that exposure to asbestos in the workplaces increased the risk of kidney cancer(OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.17-1.45, P < 0.01). Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis confirmed that the results were stable, and there was no significant publication bias.

  Conclusion  Exposure to asbestos in the workplaces could increase the risk of renal cancer.