title: Reproductive and exogenous hormone factors in relation to risk of meningioma in women: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A number of studies have focused on the association between oral contraceptive (OC), hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) and reproductive factors and meningioma risk, but the results were inconsistent. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed to obtain more precise estimates of risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a literature search using PubMed and EMBASE databases to July 2013, without any limitations. Random effects models were used to summarize results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve case-control and six cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis. We found that an increased risk of meningioma was associated with HRT use(RR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.01-1.40), postmenopausal women(RR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.07-1.64) and parity(RR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.00-1.40).No significant associations were observed for OC use (RR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.83-1.03), age at menarche(RR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.92-1.21), age at menopause(RR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.81-1.30), or age at first birth(RR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.80-1.10).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, the results of our study support the hypothesis that longer exposure to effect of female sex hormones may increase the risk of meningioma in women, yet additional studies are warranted to confirm our findings and identify the underlying biological mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Zhen-Yu
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Chuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Lun
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Guo-Zhen
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: You-Xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008579:Meningioma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010298:Parity; D017698:Postmenopause; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014930:Women