Angiotensin receptor blockers and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Some studies reported that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) reduced the risk of breast cancer. However, other studies did not show similar results. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched. The strength of the association between ARBs and the risk of breast cancer was measured by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Eight eligible studies with 1,994,880 individuals were considered for this meta-analysis. ARBs was not associated with the risk of breast cancer (OR=0.93; 95% CI: 0.81-1.06; I2=86%). In the subgroup analysis of race, a significantly decreased breast cancer risk were observed in Asians (OR=0.62; 95% CI: 0.53-0.73; I2=0%). However, a significantly increased breast cancer risk were observed in Caucasians (OR=1.08; 95% CI: 1.02-1.13; I2=28%). CONCLUSIONS: This study provided evidence that ARBs was associated with decreased breast cancer in Asians and increased risk of breast cancer in Caucasians.

The effect of prediabetes on hepatocellular carcinoma risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Some studies suggested an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in subjects with prediabetes, whereas other studies have reported negative results. Therefore, we did this meta-analysis to assess the role of prediabetes on HCC risk. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We searched studies from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. The strength of association between prediabetes and HCC risk was assessed by calculating hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 8 cohort studies and 1 case-control study with 1384594 individuals were included. Patients with prediabetes showed an increased HCC risk (HR=1.21; 95% CI, 1.13-1.30; P<0.00001). Subgroup analyses were performed according to race and gender. The results showed that both Asians with prediabetes (HR=1.19; 95% CI, 1.11-1.28; P<0.00001) and Caucasians with prediabetes (HR=2.12; 95% CI, 1.36-3.31; P=0.001 were significantly associated with increased risk of HCC, respectively. In the subgroup analysis by gender, both male patients with prediabetes (HR=1.49; 95% CI, 1.03-2.15; P=0.03) and female patients with prediabetes (HR=1.24; 95% CI, 1.01-1.52; P=0.04) showed increased risk of HCC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrated that prediabetes might be a risk factor of HCC.

[Prevalence and clinical characteristics of orthostatic hypotension in the elderly and retired population].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in the elderly and retired population. METHODS: A total of 1174 elderly and retired people underwent health screening physical examination in Guangzhou military region were included. The orthostatic blood pressure and heart rate were measured in supine position after resting for more than 5 minutes and at 0 and 2 min after standing. Subjects were divided into OH positive group and OH negative group. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as 20 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) or greater decrease in SBP and/or 10 mm Hg or greater decrease in DBP after standing. RESULTS: The prevalence of OH in this cohort was 25.6% at either 0 or 2 min after standing (21.6% or 20.7% respectively). Incidence of hypertension, myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), ischemic stroke and diabetes was significantly higher in OH positive group than in OH negative group (all P < 0.05), however, antihypertensive medication was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Orthostatic hypotension is common in the elderly and retired population and is associated with increased risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.