Diagnostic value of retinol-binding protein 4 in diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #diabetic-nephropathies #retinol-binding-proteins-plasma #diabetes-mellitus-type-2 #biomarkers

Diagnostic value of retinol-binding protein 4 in diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cao et al., 2024 | Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) | Meta Analysis

Citation

Cao Xiaodan, Zhong Guanghui, ... Wei Renxiong. Diagnostic value of retinol-binding protein 4 in diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024;15:1356131. doi:10.3389/fendo.2024.1356131

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Early detection and prevention of DN are important. Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) has been considered as a single diagnostic marker for the detection of renal impairment. However, the results have been inconsistent. The present meta-analysis aimed to determine the diagnostic potential of RBP4 in patients in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with DN. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Wanfang and CNKI databases from inception until January 2024. The meta-analysis was performed by Stata version 15.0, and sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (PLR and NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under the curve (AUC) were pooled. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool was utilized to assess the quality of each included study. In addition, heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.71-0.80] and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.76-0.85), respectively. The results showed a pooled PLR of 4.06 (95% CI, 3.16-5.21), NLR of 0.29 (95% CI, 0.24-0.36) and DOR of 13.76 (95% CI, 9.29-20.37). The area under the summarized receiver operating characteristic curve was given a value of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.82-0.88). No obvious publication bias existed in the Deeks' funnel plot asymmetry test. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that RBP4 has a promising diagnostic value with good sensitivity and specificity for patients with T2DM with DN.

Key Findings

Twenty-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.71-0.80] and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.76-0.85), respectively. The results showed a pooled PLR of 4.06 (95% CI, 3.16-5.21), NLR of 0.29 (95% CI, 0.24-0.36) and DOR of 13.76 (95% CI, 9.29-20.37). The area under the summarized receiver operating characteristic curve was given a value of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.82-0.88). No obvious publication bias existed in the Deeks' funnel plo

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population t2dm with dn
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Diabetic Nephropathies
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Biomarkers
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: vitamin-a

Provenance

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