Folate intake and the risk of endometrial cancer: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Folate may involve in various aspects of carcinogenesis. However, the relationship between folate intake and risk of many cancers, including endometrial cancer, is still inconclusive. We conducted a meta-analysis to systematically review the association. METHODS: Relevant studies were searched through three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) up to April 4, 2016. Population based prospective or case-control studies involving in investigating folate intake and risk of endometrial cancer were considered as eligible. Three investigators independently extracted data. Controversies were reconciled by discussing with a fourth investigator. Effect sizes of studies were pooled via a random effects model. Thereafter to explore the origin of heterogeneity among results of studies, a mixed effects model was employed with study design and dose of folate intake taken as covariates. RESULTS: Nine case-control studies and five cohort studies were included in the current meta-analysis. The result pooled from the highest category suggested a marginal negative association between folate intake and risk of endometrial cancer (OR=0.89 95% CI: 0.76-1.05). Based on the mixed effects model, in the highest category, the risk showed an increasing trend along with increment of folate intake (5% risk increase per 100μg/d, P=0.01). CONCLUSION: A marginally negative association was observed between folate intake and endometrial cancer, which might subject to a threshold effect. More finely designed perspective studies or randomized trials are still needed to confirm the association.