The association between simple renal cyst and aortic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Objective: The objective of this meta-analysis of observational studies was to evaluate the association between simple renal cysts (SRC) and presence of aortic pathology such as aortic aneurysms and dissection.

Methods: We conducted searches in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1960 to August 2019 to identify observational studies that examined the association between SRCs and any aortic diseases, including aortic aneurysms and dissection. Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias. The meta-analysis was performed by STATA 14.1.

Results: In total, 11 observational studies with 19 719 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to individuals without SRCs, patients with SRCs had higher odds of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (adjusted OR = 2.61, 95% CI 2.34-2.91, P < 0.001, I² = 0%), ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) (adjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.09-3.63, P = 0.03, I² = 90.1%), descending TAA (adjusted OR = 3.44, 95% CI, 2.67-4.43, P < 0.001, I² = 0%), type A aortic dissection (AD) (adjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.32-2.96, P = 0.001, I² = 12.9%), and type B AD (adjusted OR = 2.55, 95% CI, 1.31-4.96, P = 0.006, I² = 76.2%). There was a higher average in the sum of diameter of SRCs among AAA compared to patients without AAA (WMD = 19.80 mm, 95% CI 13.92-25.67, P < 0.001, I² = 63.8%).

Conclusion: SRC is associated with higher odds of aortic diseases including AAA, ascending and descending TAA, type A and type B dissection even after adjusting for confounders.