Table 3.
Subgroup analysis of OS based on the adjusted potential confounders of the seven studies assessed with multivariate analysis
| Analysis | Included cohorts | HR (95% CI) | P-value | I2 (%) | P-value for heterogeneity | Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA19-9 | ||||||
| Yes | 3 | 1.64 (1.29–2.09) | <0.0001* | 0 | 0.43 | Fixed |
| No | 4 | 2.01 (1.45–2.77) | <0.0001* | 23 | 0.27 | Fixed |
| NLR | ||||||
| Yes | 6 | 1.88 (1.48–2.39) | <0.00001* | 14 | 0.33 | Fixed |
| No | 1 | 1.57 (1.14–2.17) | 0.0006* | NA | NA | Fixed |
| mGPS | ||||||
| Yes | 2 | 1.73 (1.21–2.49) | 0.003* | 36 | 0.13 | Fixed |
| No | 5 | 1.78 (1.41–2.23) | <0.0001* | 20 | 0.29 | Fixed |
| Albumin | ||||||
| Yes | 2 | 1.73 (1.21–2.49) | 0.003* | 36 | 0.13 | Fixed |
| No | 5 | 1.78 (1.41–2.23) | <0.0001* | 20 | 0.29 | Fixed |
| CRP | ||||||
| Yes | 1 | 1.58 (1.07–2.33) | 0.02* | NA | NA | Fixed |
| No | 6 | 1.83 (1.46–2.29) | <0.0001* | 19 | 0.29 | Fixed |
| Tumor size | ||||||
| Yes | 2 | 1.73 (1.21–2.48) | 0.005* | 0 | 0.87 | Fixed |
| No | 5 | 1.78 (1.41–2.24) | <0.00001* | 39 | 0.16 | Fixed |
| Gender | ||||||
| Yes | 1 | 1.79 (1.05–3.05) | 0.03* | NA | NA | Fixed |
| No | 6 | 1.76 (1.43–2.17) | <0.0001* | 24 | 0.26 | Fixed |
| ECOG | ||||||
| Yes | 1 | 1.58 (1.07–2.33) | 0.02* | NA | NA | Fixed |
| No | 6 | 1.83 (1.46–2.29) | <0.0001* | 19 | 0.29 | Fixed |
| Stage | ||||||
| Yes | 1 | 1.57 (1.14–2.17) | 0.01* | NA | NA | Fixed |
| No | 6 | 1.88 (1.48–2.39) | <0.0001* | 14 | 0.33 | Fixed |
| Nodal involvement | ||||||
| Yes | 2 | 1.73 (1.21–2.48) | 0.003* | 0 | 0.87 | Fixed |
| No | 5 | 1.78 (1.41–2.24) | <0.00001 | 39 | 0.16 | Fixed |
| Albumin | ||||||
| Yes | 2 | 1.73 (1.21–2.49) | 0.003* | 36 | 0.13 | Fixed |
| No | 5 | 1.78 (1.41–2.23) | <0.0001 | 20 | 0.29 | Fixed |
| Margin status | ||||||
| Yes | 3 | 1.86 (1.33–2.59) | 0.0003* | 0 | 0.55 | Fixed |
| No | 4 | 1.72 (1.36–2.18) | <0.00001* | 43 | 0.61 | Fixed |
| Tumor differentiation | ||||||
| Yes | 1 | 1.69 (1.04–2.73) | 0.03* | NA | NA | Fixed |
| No | 6 | 1.78 (1.44–2.20) | <0.00001* | 23 | 0.26 | Fixed |
| Age | ||||||
| Yes | 1 | 1.79 (1.05–3.05) | 0.03* | NA | NA | Fixed |
| No | 6 | 1.76 (1.43–2.17) | <0.0001* | 24 | 0.26 | Fixed |
Note:
*
P<0.05, the difference was statistically significant.
Abbreviations: CRP, C-reactive protein; ECOG, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; HR, hazard ratio; mGPS, modified Glasgow Prognostic Score; NA, not available; NLR, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; OS, overall survival.