Evidence Hub

Circulating ghrelin levels in patients with gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yuxuan Wang, Cai-shun Zhang, Jia-Qing Yu, Qing Zhang, Yu-Kai Wang, Yunqiu Xia, Jing Dong

Frontiers in Oncology, 2023

3,196 participants · 4 citations

Abstract

Background Ghrelin plays a critical role in regulating energy metabolism and homeostasis. The association between circulating ghrelin levels and gastric cancer has not been systematically analyzed. Objective This work explored the association between circulating ghrelin levels and gastric cancer. Methods The literature search for relevant articles published until November 2022 was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science with the keywords “ghrelin” and “gastric cancer”. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals were used to measure the effectiveness. We assessed pooled data by use of a random-effects model. Results Of 5,302 identified studies, nine were included (N=3,196 participants). Circulating ghrelin levels were lower in gastric cancer patients (SMD=-0.255, 95%CI: -0.528 to 0.017, P < 0.00001), but with high heterogeneity (I2 = 88.8%). Conclusion The circulating ghrelin levels in patients with gastric cancer were lower than in controls. However, there was heterogeneity among results; therefore, studies with larger sample sizes are recommended.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 3,196 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free