The association between body mass index and varicocele: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: Recently, several studies have found that obesity had a protective effect against varicocele, but no meta-analysis has confi rmed this fi nding. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and varicocele. Material and Methods: We searched for studies in PubMed, Science Direct and the Cochrane Library from inception until February 2018. The association between BMI and varicocele was assessed by pooling the odds ratios (ORs). Results: Eleven eligible studies with a total study population of 1.376.658 participants were included in our analysis. According to BMI, the subjects were defi ned as belonging to the obese, overweight and underweight groups. Our results showed that the obese group had a lower risk of varicocele when compared with the normal weight group (odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% confi dence intervals [CIs] 0.37-0.58). Additionally, an overweight BMI had a protective effect against varicocele (OR 0.70, 95% CIs, 0.56-0.86). However, underweight patients had a more than 30% higher risk of varicocele (OR 1.31, 95% CI, 1.04-1.64). Furthermore, there was no publication bias in any of the analyses. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that BMI is negatively associated with the presence of varicocele.

Association between body mass index and varicocele among 211 989 Chinese reproductive‐age males

“…In this study, we found that overweight and obese males had a lower odds of varicocele than those with normal BMI, which was consistent with some previous studies 3,4,7,10,17 . A meta‐analysis of 1 376 658 participants from 11 studies showed that the risk of varicocele was 54% and 30% lower in obese and overweight men than those with normal BMI 8 . Based on physical examinations of 1.3 million Israeli males, Rais et al 14 .…”

“…3,4,7,10,17 A meta-analysis of 1 376 658 participants from 11 studies showed that the risk of varicocele was 54% and 30% lower in obese and overweight men than those with normal BMI. 8 Based on physical examinations of 1.3 million Israeli males, Rais et al 14 found that overweight and obese males had 49% and 65% lower risk of varicocele than the normal BMI males. Liu et al 5 conducted a cross-sectional study screening 39 559 Chinese rural men and found that overweight and obese men were 12% and 25% less likely to have varicocele, respectively.…”

“…4,5 This may be attributed to the connection of the left testicular vein to the renal vein, while the right testicular vein drains directly into the larger inferior vena cava at an acute angle. 7 Most previous studies have found a negative correlation between BMI and varicocele risk, [3][4][5][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] but few studies have further explored the BMI range of increased varicocele risk. In addition, some studies with small sample sizes did not find an association between them, 6,15,16 making the relationship still controversial.…”

“…Most previous studies have found a negative correlation between BMI and varicocele risk, 3–5,8–14 but few studies have further explored the BMI range of increased varicocele risk. In addition, some studies with small sample sizes did not find an association between them, 6,15,16 making the relationship still controversial.…”

Developing a novel prediction model for the impact of varicocelectomy on postoperative fertility

“…Interestingly, a recent meta-analysis has revealed that BMI is inversely associated with the occurrence of varicocele. 18 Additionally, it is reported that higher BMI is correlated with impaired semen parameters. 19 Given these findings, we can assume that patients with lower BMI, more frequently suffer from varicocele but will benefit from varicocelectomy more than obese people in terms of improving fertility measures.…”