Do worms protect against the metabolic syndrome? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Tracey, Ella F., McDermott, Robyn A., and McDonald, Malcolm I. (2016) Do worms protect against the metabolic syndrome? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 120. pp. 209-220.

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Abstract

Aims: There is increasing evidence on the role of helminth infections in modifying autoimmune and allergic diseases. These infections may have similar effect in other inflammatory processes, such as insulin resistance. This review aims to examine the literature on the effect of helminthic infections on metabolic outcomes in humans.

Methods: Using the PRISMA protocol, we searched the literature using PubMed, MEDLINE, and a manual review of reference lists. Human studies published in English after 1995 were included. Four papers were included in this review. Data was extracted and a meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using Tau(2) and I(2) tests.

Results: The included studies found that infection was associated with lower glucose levels, less insulin resistance, and/or a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Meta-analysis showed that participants with a previous or current helminth infection were 50% less likely to have an endpoint of metabolic dysfunction in comparison to uninfected participants (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.38-0.66).

Conclusion: This review has shown that helminth infections can be associated with improved metabolic outcomes. Understanding of the mechanisms underlying this relationship could facilitate the development of novel strategies to prevent or delay T2DM.

Item ID: 46131
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1872-8227
Keywords: helminths; immunology; metabolic syndrome; Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Additional Information:

This is an open access article published under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.

Date Deposited: 20 Oct 2016 02:29
FoR Codes: 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3207 Medical microbiology > 320704 Medical parasitology @ 34%
42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4202 Epidemiology > 420202 Disease surveillance @ 33%
42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4206 Public health > 420699 Public health not elsewhere classified @ 33%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920104 Diabetes @ 50%
92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920412 Preventive Medicine @ 50%
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