Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39379738›Full record

SynthesisGeroScience2025

Overweight and obesity significantly increase colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 66 studies revealing a 25-57% elevation in risk.

Zoltan Ungvari, Mónika Fekete, Peter Varga, Andrea Lehoczki, János Tibor Fekete, Anna Ungvari, Balázs Győrffy

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in GeroScience, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 30 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
30citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

30 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Zoltan UngvariVascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
Mónika FeketeInstitute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Peter VargaInstitute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Andrea LehoczkiInstitute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
János Tibor FeketeDept. of Bioinformatics, Semmelweis University, 1094, Budapest, Hungary.
Anna UngvariInstitute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. Ungann2004@gmail.com.ORCID 0009-0001-5053-2828
Balázs GyőrffyDept. of Bioinformatics, Semmelweis University, 1094, Budapest, Hungary.

Funding

Chemotherapy-induced vascular cognitive impairment: role of endothelial senescenceR01CA255840 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR · 2022 to 2025
$982k
Radiation-induced astrocyte dysfunction and cognitive declineR01NS100782 · NINDS · UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR · PI ZOLTAN Istvan UNGVARI · 2021 to 2022
$686k
Cerebral microhemorrhages and gait abnormalities in agingR01AG055395 · UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR · 2025 to 2025
$424k
The role of IGF-1 signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells in age-related vascular cognitive impairment and dementiaR01AG070915 · UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR · 2025 to 2025
$350k
NCI NIH HHS R01 CA255840Nemzeti Kutatási, Fejlesztési és Innovaciós Alap RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00003NIA NIH HHS R01 AG055395NIA NIH HHS R01 AG068295NIA NIH HHS R01 AG070915NIA NIH HHS RF1 AG072295NINDS NIH HHS R01 NS100782
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has been steadily rising, and obesity has been identified as a significant risk factor. Numerous studies suggest a strong correlation between excess body weight and increased risk of CRC, but comprehensive quantification through pooled analysis remains limited. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze the existing literature to evaluate the association between obesity and CRC risk, considering variations across sex and study designs. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science to identify randomized controlled trials and human clinical trials from 1992 to 2024. Statistical analysis was performed using the https://metaanalysisonline.com web application using a random effects model to estimate the pooled hazard rates (HR). Forest plots, funnel plots, and Z-score plots were utilized to visualize results. We identified 52 clinical trials and 14 case-control studies, encompassing a total of 83,251,050 and 236,877 subjects, respectively. The pooled analysis indicated that obesity significantly increased the prevalence of CRC (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.24-1.48, p < 0.01). This effect was consistent across sexes, with HRs of 1.57 (95% CI = 1.38-1.78, p = 0.01) for males and 1.25 (95% CI = 1.14-1.38, p < 0.01) for females. Case-control studies specifically showed an effect, but with marginal significance only (HR = 1.27, 95% CI = 0.98-1.65, p = 0.07). The Z-score plot indicated the need for additional analysis in the case-control group. A significant heterogeneity was observed across studies in all four settings. This meta-analysis provides robust evidence that obesity is a significant risk factor for colorectal cancer, with an overall hazard rate indicating a 36% increased risk. The effect is pronounced across both sexes, with males showing a slightly higher risk compared to females. Although case-control studies showed a weaker association, the overall trend supports the link between obesity and CRC. These results underscore the importance of public health interventions aimed at reducing obesity to potentially lower the risk of colorectal cancer.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsObesityOverweightFemaleHumansIncidenceMalePrevalenceRisk FactorsAdiposeAdiposityAge-related diseaseAgingColon carcinomaEpidemiologyMalignancyNeoplasm

Identifiers

PMID39379738
PMCPMC12181496

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.