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. 2025 Sep 12;12:1668302. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1668302

Table 5.

Subgroup analysis and meta-regression of the association between processed meat consumption and the risk of development of ulcerative colitis.

Subgroup N Heterogeneity test Estimate
I2 p RR (95%CI) p
Study design
Cohort study 3 42.30% 0.177 1.292 (1.012, 1.649) 0.040
Case control study 4 99.60% <0.001 2.193 (1.251, 3.842) 0.006
Dietary characteristics
Western-style diet 3 42.30% 0.177 1.292 (1.012, 1.649) 0.040
Eastern-style diet 4 99.60% <0.001 2.193 (1.251, 3.842) 0.006
Meat type
Processed meat 5 96.10% <0.001 1.292 (1.013, 1.649) 0.039
ham and sausage 1 / / 0.800 (0.203, 3.150) 0.750
Grilled meat 1 / / 14.079 (3.022, 65.596) 0.001
Dietary assessment tool
T1 3 64.70% 0.059 1.352 (1.003, 1.821) 0.048
T2 2 90.40% 0.001 1.124 (0.775, 1.629) 0.538
T3 1 / / 0.970 (0.916, 1.027) 0.295
T5 1 / / 0.800 (0.203, 3.150) 0.750
Outcome measurement
A 5 98.20% <0.001 1.479 (1.051, 2.081) 0.025
B 2 0.00% 0.579 1.180 (0.842, 1.653) 0.337
Adjusted factors
Geographical region
Yes 3 54% 0.114 1.476 (1.049, 2.078) 0.026
No 4 95.00% <0.001 1.182 (0.844, 1.656) 0.331
Family history of IBD
Yes 1 / / 14.079 (3.022, 65.596) 0.001
No 6 95.20% <0.001 1.292 (1.013, 1.649) 0.039
Physical activity
Yes 4 97.00% <0.001 1.292 (1.012, 1.649) 0.040
No 3 73.40% 0.023 2.946 (1.373, 6.324) 0.006

N, number; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; RR, inrelative risk; T1, country-specific validated food frequency questionnaires; T2, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires; T3, food frequency questionnaires; T5, self-administered questionnaire; A, self-reported questionnaire; B, individual interviews or self-reported questionnaire.