The association between retinol-binding protein 4 and risk of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Tan et al., 2024 | Int J Environ Health Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Tan Xiaomeng, Zhang Han, ... Zhao Zijian. The association between retinol-binding protein 4 and risk of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Environ Health Res. 2024-Feb;34(2):1053-1063. doi:10.1080/09603123.2023.2196396

Abstract

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) was controversially associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the association between RBP4 level and T2DM risk. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched to identify relevant studies up to 3 December 2022. Random effects model was used to pool multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Publication bias was estimated by Funnel plot and Egger's test, it was considered to be significant when P < 0.05. Eight studies including 8087 participants were finally included. Compared to those with the lowest level, subjects with the highest level of RBP4 have a higher risk of T2DM (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.16-1.78, P < 0.001, I2 = 86.9%). No publication bias among the included studies was found (t = 0.94, P = 0.377). This meta-analysis indicated that high RBP4 level was associated with increasing risk of T2DM.

Key Findings

This meta-analysis indicated that high RBP4 level was associated with increasing risk of T2DM.

Outcomes Measured

Requires manual extraction

Population

Field	Value
Population	the highest level of
Sample Size	8087
Age Range	See abstract
Condition	diabetes

MeSH Terms

Humans
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma

Evidence Classification

Level: Meta Analysis
Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article
Vertical: vitamin-a

Provenance

PMID: 36987736
DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2196396
PMCID: Not in PMC
Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09