Association between phthalate exposure and insulin resistance: a systematic review and meta-analysis update

An update on systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to explore effects of phthalate exposure on insulin resistance. A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CNKI until March 2021. A conceptual framework was constructed to guide the organization and presentation of results. Besides, beta coefficients with corresponding confidence intervals were extracted from the most adjusted models. Extracted beta coefficients were transformed into correlation, and z Fisher transformation of correlation with the corresponding standard error was included in meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed by age (adult vs. adolescent) and sex (female vs. male) of participants and site of study (America and Europe vs. Asia) to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Nineteen literatures with 12,533 participants reporting on the association of exposure to specific phthalates and insulin resistance were selected. The majority of included studies revealed positive relationships of insulin resistance with different phthalate metabolites exposure. Meta-analyses were performed on 16 studies. Exposure to MnBP, MBzP, MCPP, MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP, ∑DEHP, and high-molecular weight phthalate (∑HMWP) was associated with the increase of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. The results of sensitivity analyses stratified by age, sex, and site of study remained stable, suggesting the robustness of these meta-analyses. Most of heterogeneity in sensitivity analyses decreased to moderate or low degree. Exposure to MnBP, MBzP, MCPP, MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP, ∑DEHP, and ∑HMWP was associated with the increased risk of HOMA-IR. Age, sex, and site of study might provide limited source of heterogeneity.