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A Meta-analysis

Ezekiel Weis, MD, MPH; Chirag P. Shah, MD, MPH; Martin Lajous, MD; Jerry A. Shields, MD; Carol L. Shields, MD

Arch Ophthalmol. 2006;124:54-60.

Objective  To conduct a meta-analysis, using observational studies, to examine the association between host susceptibility factors and uveal melanoma.

Methods  A review of 132 published reports on risk factors for uveal melanoma revealed 10 case-control studies that provided enough information to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and standard errors for host susceptibility factors. Data from these studies were extracted and categorized. Summary statistics were calculated for all risk factors reported by at least 4 independent studies.

Results  Summary statistics using meta-analysis are presented as ORs and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistically significant risk factors include light eye color (OR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.31-2.34]), using 10 studies (1732 cases); fair skin color (OR, 1.80 [95% CI, 1.31-2.47]), using 5 studies (586 cases); and ability to tan (OR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.29-2.09]), using 6 studies (1021 cases). Blond or red hair color, using 7 studies (1012 cases), was not a statistically significant independent risk factor (OR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.82-1.26]).

Conclusion  This meta-analysis yielded strong evidence associating the host susceptibility factors of iris color, skin color, and ability to tan with uveal melanoma.

Author Affiliations: Department of Epidemiology (Dr Lajous), Harvard School of Public Health (Drs Weis and Shah), Boston, Mass; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alberta, Edmonton (Dr Weis); University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY (Dr Shah); Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa (Drs J. A. Shields and C. L. Shields); Department of Ophthalmology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia (Drs J. A. Shields and C. L. Shields). Dr Weis is now with the Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario.

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