Nut Intake and Risk of Cancer and its Mortality: a Study Protocol for a Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

Abstract

Background: This study protocol outlines the planned, systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of nuts intake with cancer risk and its mortality.
 Methods: This meta-analysis will be done based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). A systematic literature search will be conducted using online databases, including PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus with no limitation in language or time of publication to identify observational studies investigating the association of nuts intake with cancer risk and its mortality. The target population will be adults (≥18 years of age). Random-effects models will be used to calculate pooled effect sizes (ESs) for the risk of cancer and its mortality based on the comparison between the highest and lowest categories of nut intake and to incorporate variation between studies. Linear and non-linear dose-response analyses will be done to evaluate the dose-response associations between nut intake and risk of cancer and its mortality. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) will be used to assess the risk of bias or quality of included studies.
 Conclusion: The findings of this systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis will summarize all available evidence on the association between nut intake and risk of cancer and its mortality.