Prognostic role of osteoprotegerin and risk of coronary artery calcification: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a predictor of atherosclerosis. However, the association of osteoprotegerin (OPG) with CAC is still controversial. Methods: Prospective cohort studies that provided odds ratios with 95% CIs were included from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus through July 2022. Results: Out of 14 studies included in the systematic review, three studies with 7642 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio indicated a significant association between higher OPG levels and accelerated risk of CAC (1.15; 95% CI: 1.03-1.30; p < 0.001) with relatively no heterogeneity between studies (I 2  = 0%; p = 0.43). Conclusion: The results indicated that increased concentrations of OPG are positively associated with a 15% elevated odds of CAC after adjustment of major covariates.