title: Risk Factors for Multiple Myeloma: A Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses.
abstract: The epidemiology of multiple myeloma (MM) is an increasingly investigated field, with many controversies. This systematic review aims to synthesize meta-analyses examining risk factors for MM so as to provide a comprehensive, parsimonious summary of the current evidence. Eligible meta-analyses were sought in PubMed adopting a predefined algorithm, without any restriction of publication language; end-of-search date was October 10, 2014. The selection of eligible studies and data extraction were performed by working in pairs, independently and blindly to each other; in case of disagreement, consensus with the whole team was reached. Among the 22 ultimately included meta-analyses, 9 examined occupational factors, 4 assessed aspects of lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, body mass index), 5 evaluated the presence of other diseases, and 4 addressed genetic factors as potential risk factors of MM. A vast compendium of significant associations arose, including farming, occupation as a firefighter, occupation as a hairdresser, exposures to chemicals or pesticides, overweight and obesity, patterns of alcohol intake, pernicious anemia, ankylosing spondylitis, gene promoter methylation, and polymorphisms. In conclusion, MM is a multifactorial disease, encompassing a wide variety of risk factors that span numerous life aspects. Further accumulation of evidence through meta-analyses is anticipated in this rapidly growing field.
authors: Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Theodoros N
authors: TN
authors: Sergentanis
authors: Department of Clinical Therapeutics, "Alexandra" Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Flora
authors: F
authors: Zagouri
authors: Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Gerasimos
authors: G
authors: Tsilimidos
authors: Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Anastasia
authors: A
authors: Tsagianni
authors: Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Melina
authors: M
authors: Tseliou
authors: Department of Clinical Therapeutics, "Alexandra" Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: mdimop@med.uoa.gr.
authors: Meletios A
authors: MA
authors: Dimopoulos
authors: Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Theodora
authors: T
authors: Psaltopoulou
mesh_terms: D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Epidemiology; Meta-analysis; Multiple myeloma; Risk factors; Systematic review