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Background: Dose–response meta-analysis (DRMA) has been widely used in exploring cancer risk factors. Understanding the quality of published DRMAs on cancer risk factors may be beneficial for informed prevention for cancer. Methods: We searched eligible DRMAs from 1st January 2011 to 31st-July-2017. The modified AMSTAR 1.0 (15 items) and PRISMA checklist (26 items) were used to evaluate the methodological and reporting quality of included DRMAs. We compared the adherence rate of these items by journal type, publication years, region, and funding information, in prior. Results: We included 260 DRMAs. Colorectal, breast, prostate, and lung were the four most commonly investigated cancers. For methodological quality, 6 out of 15 items were adhered by less than 30% of the DRMAs, 2 by less than 60%, only 7 of which by 80% or more. For reporting quality, 3 out of 26 items were adhered by less than 30% of the DRMAs, 1 by less than 80% (> 30%), and 20 of which by 80% or more. Those published in general journal, published more recently, and received any financial support have better methodological (Rate differences, RDs = 10–36%; P < 0.05) and reporting adherence (RDs = 12–36%; P < 0.05). DRMAs by Asian author tend to be less qualified than by European and American. Conclusions: The methodological quality of DRMAs on cancer risk factors is worrisome that the findings of them may be deflective; more efforts are needed to improve the validity of it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hepatic resection has been increasingly performed in patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the current evidence supporting its efficacy remains controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the long-term survival and safety of hepatic resection compared to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) alone for BCLC stage B HCC. Methods: Eligible trials that compared hepatic resection with TACE alone for intermediate HCC were identified from the Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. The study outcomes included overall survival (OS) rate and treatment-related complication rate. Hazard ratios (HRs) with a 95 % confidence interval were used to measure the pooled effect according to a random-effects or fixed-effects model, depending on the heterogeneity among the included studies. The heterogeneity among these trials statistically was evaluated using the χ and I tests. Sensitivity analyses were also performed. Results: A total of 9 studies containing 4958 patients were included. The comparison between hepatic resection and TACE revealed a pooled HR for 3-year OS of 0.403 (95 % CI 0.364-0.446, p = 0.000; I = 0 %, p = 0.643) and a pooled HR for 5-year OS of 0.433 (95 % CI 0.394-0.475, p = 0.000; I = 0 %, p = 0.468). An AFP level >400 ng/ml and being HBV-positive were factors significantly correlated with overall survival. For treatment-related complications, the overall odds ratio (OR) for hepatic resection versus TACE was 0.990 (95 % CI 0.934-1.049; p = 0.728; I = 64.5 %, p = 0.060). Conclusion: Hepatic resection likely improved overall survival compared with TACE alone in BCLC stage B HCC patients, but did not increase the incidence of treatment-related complications. An AFP level >400 ng/ml and HBV positivity were significantly correlated with poor OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is one of the most frequent and severe adverse events (AEs) after treatment with opioids. Recent studies have indicated that fixed-ratio combination prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone (OXN PR) could decrease OIC with similar pain relief compared with other opioids.Objectives: We systematically reviewed (PROSPERO registration numbers: CRD42016036244) the constipation relief of OXN PR compared with other opioids regardless of formulation, prolonged release, or extended release used for the relief of chronic pain.Methods: Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library from inception to May 2016, with an update to December 2016. We quantitatively analyzed OIC (assessed by bowel function index [BFI]), pain intensity, and AEs.Results: A total of 167 articles were identified from the databases. Finally seven studies with 3217 patients were included in our meta-analysis, including 1322 patients in OXN PR treatment groups and 1885 patients in prolonged-release oxycodone (OXY PR) or prolonged-release morphine (MOR PR) control group. The relative risk (RR) of OIC was decreased in OXN PR (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.44; 0.62). Whether BFI was better or worse at baseline, the mean difference (MD) of BFI -17.48 95% CI -21.60; -13.36) was better after treatment with OXN PR with clinical importance at the end of intervention; moreover, the BFI of the OXN PR-treated group was closer to normal BFI scores. However, clinical BFI change from baseline to the end measurement only existed in patients when the baseline BFI was high (mean [SDs] 61.0 [23.39]-67.40 [19.51]), and the MD of the BFI was -15.96 (95% CI -25.56; -15.48). The RR of AEs was also smaller (RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.69-0.93), but the severity or duration of AEs was not reported. Pain intensity was also significantly decreased in the OXN PR treatment groups (MD -3.84, 95% CI -7.14; -0.55), although there was no clinically meaningful difference.Conclusion: For people with chronic pain, treatment with OXN PR decreases the incidence of OIC and provides intermediate-term bowel function improvement with clinical importance; in addition, pain relief is not weakened. The OIC after treatment with OXN PR for cancer-related pain and over the long term remains unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a dose-response (DR) meta-analysis to evaluate the association of coffee consumption on endometrial cancer (EC) risk. A total 1,534,039 participants from 13 published articles were added in this meta-analysis. The RR of total coffee consumption and EC were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.74-0.86). A stronger association between coffee intake and EC incidence was found in patients who were never treated with hormones, 0.60 (95% CI: 0.50-0.72), and subjects with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2, 0.57 (95% CI: 0.46-0.71). The overall RRs for caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee were 0.66 (95% CI: 0.52-0.84) and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.63-0.94), respectively. A linear DR relationship was seen in coffee, caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee and caffeine intake. The EC risk decreased by 5% for every 1 cup per day of coffee intake, 7% for every 1 cup per day of caffeinated coffee intake, 4% for every 1 cup per day of decaffeinated intake of coffee, and 4% for every 100 mg of caffeine intake per day. In conclusion, coffee and intake of caffeine might significantly reduce the incidence of EC, and these effects may be modified by BMI and history of hormone therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]