Food groups and nutrients consumption and risk of endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies (cohort and case-control)
PubMed 36138433 · doi:10.1186/s12937-022-00812-x
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies searched PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science through September 2022 to examine associations between intake of specific food groups and nutrients (dairy, fats, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and animal protein) and risk of endometriosis in adult women. Pooled effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using inverse variance-weighted fixed-effect models.
What was found
The analysis included 8 publications (representing 4 studies; 5 cohort and 3 case-control datasets) with sample sizes ranging from 156 to 116,607. - Total dairy intake: associated with lower risk of endometriosis (RR 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85 to 0.95; P < 0.001; I² = 37.0%), but no significant associations were found for low- or high-fat dairy, cheese, or milk individually. - Red meat: associated with higher risk (RR 1.17; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.26; P < 0.001; I² = 82.4%). - Trans fatty acids: associated with higher risk (RR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.23; P = 0.019; I² = 73.0%). - Saturated fatty acids: associated with higher risk (RR 1.06; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.09; P < 0.001; I² = 57.3%).
Why it matters
This synthesis summarizes observational evidence linking higher intake of red meat, saturated fats, and trans fats with elevated endometriosis risk, while overall dairy intake was linked to lower risk.
Limits
The literature base is small (8 publications from only 4 studies) and strictly observational, precluding causal conclusions. High statistical heterogeneity was present for red meat and trans fatty acid analyses (I² > 70%), and results for several food groups mentioned in the scope (fruits, vegetables, legumes) were not reported with numerical data in the abstract.