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Meta-Analysis
. 2017 Sep 26;12(9):e0185316.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185316. eCollection 2017.

Height and lung cancer risk: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Fang Wang  1 , Xingxiang Xu  1 , Junjun Yang  1 , Lingfeng Min  1 , Sudong Liang  2 , Yong Chen  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Height and lung cancer risk: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Fang Wang et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: The association between height and lung cancer risk has been investigated by epidemiological studies but the results are inconsistent. This meta-analysis was to evaluate whether the height is associated with lung cancer.

Methods: We identified relevant articles by searching the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, and reviewed the reference lists of selected papers. A random effect model was used to calculate summary odds ratios (OR) and relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Publication bias was estimated using Egger's regression asymmetry test.

Results: We included a total 16 studies (15 prospective studies and one case-control study) on adult height and lung cancer risk in the meta-analysis. Overall, per 10-cm height increases were associated with increased risk of lung cancer (RR 1.06; 95% CI 1.03-1.09, I2 = 43.6%).

Conclusions: In this meta-analysis, high adult height is related to increased lung cancer risk. Well-designed, large prospective studies are required to obtain a better indication of the relationship.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flow diagram of the literature search.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Analysis of high versus low height and lung cancer risk.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Per 10-cm height increase and lung cancer risk.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Begg’s funnel plot with pseudo-95% CI for identifying publication bias in all studies for per 10-cm height increase and lung cancer.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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