Evidence mapPaperPMID 42100201Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in endocrinology2026

Association between serum lipid levels and the risk of diabetic nephropathy: a meta-analysis.

Linli Cai, Xingyuan Li, Qing Yang, Fang Liu

Abstract readMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in endocrinology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Linli CaiDepartment of Nephrology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Xingyuan LiDepartment of Nephrology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Qing YangDepartment of Nephrology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Fang LiuDepartment of Nephrology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Observational studies on the association between specific lipid parameters-such as triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-and the risk of diabetic nephropathy (DN) have yielded inconsistent and sometimes controversial conclusions. Methods: This study systematically searched relevant literature in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to October 2025. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 software. The pooled odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the chi-square test and I² statistic, and publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger regression tests. The effect of publication bias was analyzed using the trim-and-fill method, and the robustness of the results was examined through sensitivity analysis. Evidence for each outcome was evaluated and graded according to GRADE. Results: A total of 15 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that higher serum TG levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of DN (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.11-1.23, P < 0.00001). Higher TC levels also indicated a slight increased risk (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.11, P = 0.01). HDL-C showed a protective effect (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.81-0.92, P < 0.00001). No significant association was found between LDL-C and the risk of DN. Egger's test suggested publication bias for TG and HDL-C, but the magnitude of strength did not change direction after trimming and filling. Sensitivity analysis showed that the above findings were robust. Regarding the GRADE rating, all outcomes were rated as very low-quality evidence. Conclusion: Elevated serum TG levels are a risk factor for DN, while HDL-C shows a protective effect. While TC showed a positive correlation, the effect was weak; LDL-C did not show a significant association. Future research should focus on prospective cohort designs to validate causal associations and explore the potential value of lipid-lowering therapy in the primary prevention of DN.

Indexed as

Diabetic NephropathiesLipidsCholesterol, HDLCholesterol, LDLHumansRisk FactorsTriglyceridesCholesterol, HDLCholesterol, LDLLipidsTriglyceridesdiabetic nephropathyhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterollipidlow-density lipoprotein cholesteroltotal cholesteroltriglycerides

Identifiers

PMID42100201
PMCPMC13143709

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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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.