Pre-eclampsia during pregnancy and risk of endometrial cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia may be associated with the development of endometrial cancer; however, previous findings have been conflicting. OBJECTIVES: To investigate if pre-eclampsia is associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. METHOD: Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts of studies identified in MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases from inception until March 2022. Studies were included if they investigated pre-eclampsia and subsequent risk of endometrial cancer (or precursor lesions). Random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between pre-eclampsia during pregnancy and endometrial cancer risk. MAIN RESULTS: There were seven articles identified which investigated endometrial cancer, of which one also investigated endometrial cancer precursors. Overall, the studies include 11,724 endometrial cancer cases. No association was observed between pre-eclampsia and risk of endometrial cancer with moderate heterogeneity observed (pooled HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.79–1.46, I(2) = 34.1%). In sensitivity analysis investigating risk of endometrial neoplasia (atypical hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ, or cancer), there was some evidence that pre-eclampsia was associated with an increased risk (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.15–1.57, I(2) = 29.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-eclampsia was not associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Additional large studies with information on pre-eclampsia sub-type aiming to investigate endometrial cancer precursor conditions are merited. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-023-02408-x.