Diabetes Mellitus and Risk of Bronchopleural Fistula After Pulmonary Resections: A Meta-Analysis

We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the association between diabetes mellitus and the risk of bronchopleural fistula in patients undergoing pulmonary resection. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched, and 15 retrospective observational studies were included. The pooled analysis showed that diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with the formation of bronchopleural fistula after pulmonary resection (odds ratio = 1.97; 95% confidence interval = 1.39 to 2.80; p < 0.001). This association remained statistically prominent in the subgroups classified by statistical analysis, diagnoses and operative modes and in Asian patients. Therefore, diabetes mellitus can be an independent risk factor for bronchopleural fistula after pulmonary resection.