Correlation Between Bariatric Surgery and the Risk of Multiple Myeloma: Results from an Evidence-Based Strategy

Objective

We conducted a meta-analysis of current literature to assess whether bariatric surgery(BS) has a positive effect on reducing the risk of multiple myeloma(MM).

Methods

Relevant studies meeting the criteria were systematically reviewed using databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Embase (Ovid platform), MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library. The meta-analysis utilized hazard ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to analyze the correlation between BS and the risk of MM. STATA software (version 12.0) was employed for the meta analysis.

Results

The meta-analysis included 10 eligible studies, involving 2,452,503 patients with obesity. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of multiple myeloma in patients with obesity after bariatric surgery compared to non-surgical patients with obesity (RR = 0.51, 95%CI: 0.31–0.84). Subgroup analyses revealed a decreased probability of developing multiple myeloma in European patients with obesity and North American patients with obesity who underwent bariatric surgery. Studies with a sample size greater than or equal to 100,000 indicated a significantly reduced risk of multiple myeloma in patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery compared to the non-surgical group (RR: 0.45, 95%CI: 0.23–0.88, P < 0.02). Two publications before 2010 showed no significant difference in the incidence of multiple myeloma between the surgical and non-surgical groups (RR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.14–2.63, P = 0.504), while publications after 2010 demonstrated a reduced incidence in the surgical group (RR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30–0.86, P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis results suggest a reduced risk of multiple myeloma in patients with obesity following bariatric surgery.

PROSPERO Registration

CRD42023485668

Graphical Abstract