Thiazolidinediones and associated risk of bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: To determine whether thiazolidinedione use is associated with a risk of bladder cancer.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE in June 2012 (with PubMed update to July 2013) and conducted meta-analysis on the overall risks of bladder cancer with pioglitazone or rosiglitazone and the risk with different categories of cumulative dose or duration of drug use.

Results: We screened 230 citations and included 18 studies, comprising five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 13 observational studies.